Dorothy Braegelman

Dorothy Braegelman, 89, of Belgrade, died Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, January 30, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Belgrade.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the church with a Christian Mothers Rosary at 10:00 a.m.   Arrangements are with Johnson Funeral Home in Belgrade. 

Dorothy Braegelman, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025, at the age of 89 at the Glacial Ridge Hospital. Dorothy’s life was a beautiful testament to love, resilience, and joy, touching the hearts of all who knew her.

Dorothy met Edmund, the love of her life, andthey married on April 20, 1953 in Spring Hill, embarking on a journey shaped by Edmund’s service in the Army. Together, they spent a few years in California before returning to their Minnesota roots. They ultimately settled into their family farm just outside of Belgrade, where they built a life filled with love and hard work, raising seven children. Tragically, at the age of 47, she lost Edmund to cancer. Yet even 41 years later, when she spoke of him, we could still see the love and devotion in her eyes.

Dorothy had an innate way of cultivating joy and energy that drew people to her. Whether she was playing cards with her kids, chatting with her regulars at Hill Crest, or joking with her caretakers at the Belgrade Nursing home, she brought lightness and laughter to the world around her. Dorothy’s humor was subtle but unforgettable; she would slip one-liners into conversations and chuckle quietly, waiting for everyone else to catch up.

Her Hobbies included cards, dice, crocheting, sharing a meal, gardening and playing guitar. 

She modeled empathy, love, and compassion for her 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren with two on the way, eagerly embracing opportunities that pulled her family together.

Those who loved Dorothy will remember her quick wit and how she lived her life finding joy. Her kindness will forever echo in the lives she touched.

Dorothy is survived by her children, Dale (Betty), Linda (James) Nelson, Dennis (Crystal), Lori (Randy) Tollefson, Lisa (Mark) Meyer, and Duane (Tammy); daughter-in-law, Rosann Braegelman; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren on the way and one sister-in-law Margie Braegelman. 

Dorothy is proceeded in death by husband, Edmund; son, David; grandson, Nathan Nelson; brothers Walter, Peter, Norbert, Bernard and Elmer; sisters, Helen, Elizabeth and Marcella and special friend, Frank Schmidt. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy Braegelman, please visit our floral store.