Dorothy Ann May

May, Dorothy Ann, Age 95, of Ely (formerly of Robbinsdale) passed away on November 24, 2023.   Preceded in death by husband Don.  Survived by children Dorie (Mark) Saunders, Perry (Teri) May and Cathy (Bryan) Worth; 5 grandchildren Dan Saunders, Matt (Alicia) May, Devin May, Lexy (Casey) Fenske and Hailey (Kyle) Myre and 2 great-grandchildren Hollace & Rudy Fenske.

Funeral Mass of Remembrance on Sat, December 9 at 11 AM at St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Maple Grove.  Visitation one hour prior to mass at church from 10-11 AM.  Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Dorothy was the youngest of 7 children born to Edward & Ruth Koch in Kingston near Kimball MN.  She grew up on a farm and went to high school in Kimball.   She moved to Minneapolis after high school.  She met Don May when she would go back home to visit in the Kimball-Watkins area.  She married Don May on July 14, 1951, at St. Stephen’s Church in Minneapolis.

Dorothy and Don moved to their first house in Crystal and then built a new house in Robbinsdale around the time of the birth of their first daughter Doriann in 1956.  They welcomed son, Perry in 1958 and daughter, Cathy in 1961.  They resided in their Robbinsdale house for 45 years.  They were members of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church for many years.

Dorothy’s primary hobbies, in later years, were puzzles and bingo and she loved polka music.  She would watch a full day of polka on local Ely TV on Saturdays.  She very much loved and enjoyed seeing her grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

In spring 2021, Dorothy’s health took a turn which prompted the family to explore other living arrangements.  A decision was made to move her closer to her grand-daughters and great-grandchildren in Ely MN into a small, family-focused  senior care facility Carefree Living.   The small environment was wonderful for Dorothy where the staff were very loving & attentive, the residents wonderfully accepted her and she made many new friends.  It also did not hurt to have a live polka band play once a month.

Our deepest appreciation goes to the Carefree Living Ely and Essentia Hospice staff for their loving attention and care.

Dorothy's Service will be livestreamed and be available at a later time.