March 2, 1931 – August 7, 2020
Dorothy Cassidy Holmers, age 89, of Winsted, Minnesota passed away in her home on August 7, 2020 with her family by her side. She was born to George and Mildred (Wallace) Cassidy on March 2, 1931 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended Ascension school in North Minneapolis, Franklin Junior High, and went on to graduate from her beloved North High School. She married Ted Holmers Jr. in 1952 and they were blessed with 6 children. They lived together in North Minneapolis for 18 years before moving to Lake Mary outside of Winsted, Minnesota. Music was an especially important part of Dorothy’s life, and she was a member of the Ascension Choir and the Winsted Holy Trinity Choir for more than 60 years combined. Her Catholic faith and charitable works were an integral part of her life, so after retiring from a fulfilling career at General Mills she went on to be a regular volunteer at Sharing & Caring Hands for more than 20 years and raised thousands of dollars for MS over a 30 year period. She was a member of the Winsted American Legion Auxiliary for 49 years and was a proud, lifelong Democrat. She leaves behind many loving memories of her kindnesses, generosity, and wit. She was a role model to many and a mother to anyone who needed one. Dorothy is survived by her children: Mary, Mike (Cindy), Greg (Cynthia), Patty (Ken), Ginny (Mark), Joe (David) and son-in-law Eduardo. She is also survived by 19 beloved grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, her sister Mary Gustafson and her lifelong friend, Doris Paulson. Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving husband Ted, in 1992, her parents, and her siblings: Ginny, Ray, and Jim. Her Wake will be held on Thursday, August 13th from 4 – 8 p.m. at the Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted, Minnesota. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the funeral will be a private ceremony for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, donations to Sharing & Caring Hands or the MS Society are preferred as both causes were extremely dear to her.
My deepest sympathy to Dorothy’s family. Dorothy was a wonderful lady who will be surely be missed by many. God bless Dorothy and all who loved her.
My deepest sympathies to her entire family. What I wonderful woman she was!
Deepest sympathy to the entire Holmers family
Sending love and prayers of comfort to all of the family.
Thinking of the entire Holmers family after the loss of such a special Mom. Dorothy was a joy to be with and will be missed dearly.
I love each and everyone one of you and I am so sorry for your loss.
Sadness reading this. Amazed at all her years of caring for others and the long list of descendants that no doubt will keep her in their hearts and follow her steps. She will live on in all of them. For now the sadness is immense but with time it will become the fuel that prompts you to higher cause
Dorothy touched so many people in this world. Her strength is passed on in all the people she cared for. Her memory will not fade, as her spirit lives on in all those she loved. I will miss you. My thoughts go out to all who mourn her. Remember what she stood for and help others in her honor.
Morris,
I am so sorry for your loss. Never a good day to lose a mom. A Mother. A confidante. A helper. A healer. My mom left me a year ago May. How many times I have picked up the phone to call her. Nothing I can say will heal the hurt that you are experiencing. It will get better, but never go away. Know that I am keeping you in my prayers, that I miss you! and that I love you dear. Stay strong.
Deepest sympathies to you all. People like your Mom are far and few between. Dorothy always cared about the people left behind, those with physical or mental issues, race or social issue, those that were shunned by others. I’ll always remember her signing her cards “Dorothy Democrat”, and her influence on me to want to be a better person, to stand up for those that aren’t able, even when it would cause such deep hurt to be ridiculed by so many. I will miss her encouraging words, but will continue the fight, because she did until her last day. I know each of you will carry on her legacy, and give of yourselves for the ones that are unable, and each of us can only hope that we will leave a mark on someone’s life like she did on so many. Love you all, Barb
Deepest condolences on the loss of Dorothy. She is someone I never knew, but would have loved to have known. I know her daughter, Mary. May loving arms grace the space, at a healthful distance, for the small funeral being planned. Her beauty will live on forever. Peace.
Dorothy was a joy to be around. She had a way of relating to all of us and went about constantly lifting our spirits at work.
My condolences to the Holmers family. God Bless you all.
Prayers for the entire family in the loss of Our dear Dorothy.
What a pleasure to volunteer with Dorothy from 2008-2010 at Sharing & Caring Hands. She made everyone feel as though they were her best bud and always included each of us!
I proudly hang my awesome Halloween witch (of course named Dorothy), that she said I must have,
on my patio door since 2008. My grandchildren cannot wait for Dorothy to be displayed as she is on a spring/coil & bounces all over the place.. It has been their favorite decoration for 11 years! All of you kids were so lucky to have her for your mother! She was a true gem!
My prayers to the family. As many have mentioned, she was a wonderful person. Dorothy was a worker for our funeral group. If she couldn’t make it she always brought a large cucumber salad. We will miss her.
Steve was lucky enough
To know Aunt Dorothy all his life… I just met her when we got married in 1991. She was one of the most gracious people I ever met… we loved her and miss her.
God bless all of your family. What a wonderful woman and mother she was.
Nan was always there for us kids. Her passing will be felt for years to come. She was a true angel on earth! She will be missed!
Wonderful service. So sorry I couldn’t attend but thankful it was live streamed. Aunt Dorothy was very special and will always hold a place in my heart.
My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the entire family of Dorothy-Cassidy Holmers. I know Dorothy meant the world to her family and many, many friends and acquaintances. To know her was to Love her! Dorothy will be sorely missed by so many, but what a mark she left during her time here on this earth. I’m sure she has been welcomed into heaven with open arms and will continue watching over her family and friends from above. RIP Dorothy! Love you and your family always!
So sorry I couldn’t attend the service but thankful it was live streamed. Aunt Dorothy was very special to me and will always hold a place in my heart.
Our sympathies to the Holmer’s Family. Dorothy really did have a great wonderful influence on everyone she associated with. A very great loss. God Bless Dorothy & the entire Family. ✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️
Ginny, Joe, and Holmers family,
You have our deepest condolences. Your Mom was always so genuinely cheerful and friendly. She always had kind words to say when crossing paths with her. May your memories keep her close in spirit and always in your hearts.
We pray for your Mom to rest now in heaven, and for God to provide His peace and comfort to you during this time. I’m so sorry ~ was not able to attend the wake. Take care.
We are very sorry for your loss. Dorothy will always be remembered.