Dorothea Mae (Johnson) Heimark

Dorothea Mae (Johnson) Heimark, 95, formerly of Clarkfield, Minnesota and Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away on August 13, 2021 at Southview Acres in West Saint Paul with family by her side. She was born in Dawson to Dr. Carl M. Johnson and Anna Marie (Loberg) Johnson on June 25, 1926. Dorothea graduated from Dawson High School and went on to study nursing at Macalester College. She married Charles J. Heimark on May 29, 1949, making a life together on a farm in rural Clarkfield where, in addition to corn, soybeans and sunflowers, they raised Charlette, Charles (Corky), Carrie Jo, and Carla. Dorothea played an active role in the company they started, General Dryer Corporation, which designed and manufactured grain dryers and sunflower harvesting equipment called the Headsnatcher.

Dorothea was strong, resilient, and grounded in faith and grace. She enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, cooking, and leading youth enrichment activities such as Girl Scouts, 4H and church school. She practically lived on coffee loaded with creamer and sugar and she had a penchant for rescuing stray dogs. Dorothea was gifted with a beautiful soprano voice that she shared with her faith community and around her home. Dorothea traveled to exotic lands and yet the cottage near Pelican Rapids remained her favorite place in the world.

Dorothea lived her life known as someone who was kind, gracious, and generous. On her final day she was heard quietly saying to her nursing caregiver “I am honored that you take such good care of me.” A class act to the very end.

Dorothea is survived by her children, Charles (Corky), Carrie Jo, and Carla (Bob Sarafin); grandchildren, Christopher, Carrie, Tawnia, Jaimie, Nichole (Jake Foster), Alex (Karina Rohr), and great-grandchildren, Maison, Maxi, Ty, Jaidyn, Hudson, Gracyn, Dawson and Charlotte. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles, daughter Charlette, and grandson Peter Benson.

At her request, a simple and private graveside memorial service will be held at Bergen Lutheran Cemetery this fall. Memorials preferred to Minneapolis VA Medical Center Fisher House or to any animal rescue shelter. 

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