Dorothy Johnson

Dorothy Johnson Stone died January 26, 2019 in Venice, Florida at the age of 82. Services will be held at Miller Funeral Home 507 S. Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD on February 10, at 2:00pm. A time of fellowship will follow. Born July 7, 1936 in Naples, SD to Charles and Francesca (Wenschlag) Kirsch, Dorothy attended public school and graduated from Augustana Academy in 1954 in Canton, SD at the age of 17. That same year she was united in marriage to Gordon Allen Fossum in Canton where she resided until after his death. Dorothy married Wesley Patterson in 1960. The family moved to Sioux Falls, SD where she worked in banking, office management, and modeled for Julia Iverson's Boutique. Dorothy spent time volunteering in her church and community throughout her life while residing in Canton, Sioux Falls, Pierre, and Spearfish, SD. Dorothy was a business owner and community leader in Spearfish. She owned and operated Kathleen's Dress Shop and served as President of the Chamber of Commerce. She also helped to spearhead the restoration and reopening of the Matthew's Opera House and Arts Center in Spearfish. Dorothy loved time with her family, socializing with friends, decorating, gardening and pursuing many creative interests including watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting. She was a talented artist and taught others privately and in groups. She was committed to prayer and supported many people struck by cancer as a four-time cancer thriver herself, she encouraged and inspired many. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Allen Stone, and her four children, Susanne (Paul) Nester, Sherry (Kevin) Buell, Gordon Fossum, Beth Wellesley (Michael). She was blessed with 13 grandchildren Matt, Aaron, Megan, Joseph, Leah, Elizabeth, Amanda, Tasheena Rae, Gordon, Charles, Sara, Alex, Isabelle. She also had 17 great grandchildren. Dorothy married Allen Stone and resided in Sioux Falls for 15 years until they moved to Venice, Florida in 2015. Al has 5 children, including: Matt Stone, Cindy (Dave) Olson, Jennifer (Scott) Russell, Jarolyn (Dan) Kieger, Ellen (Tony) Melaragno. He also has 7 grandchildren and multiple great grandchildren. Dorothy grew up with her six siblings and remained devoted to each of them throughout her life. Her surviving siblings include: Patricia Duffy, Dick (Ramona) Kirsch, Sandy Fedt, and Dewayne (Dianne) Kirsch. Her parents, and siblings, Doug (Joyce) Kirsch, Charles Kirsch; grandson, Joshua, and brothers in-law, Ed Duffy and Lyle Fedt, preceded her in death.