Obituary of Dorothy Dianne Lunde

The bright, shining light of Love, Joy and Kindheartedness that was Dorothy Dianne Lunde (Torgerson) passed away on the evening of August 22nd, 2022 in Fort Collins, CO, after a long and tragic battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Dorothy died at the home of her daughter Krista in a beautiful atmosphere of peace and lovingkindness. She was surrounded by the physical presence of her closest family and friends who kept a constant vigil over her last days. Mahalia Jackson was singing “Precious Lord Take My Hand” as she took her final breath, and we like to believe she did just that as she crossed over. She and Jesus were pretty close.

Dorothy’s name means “Gift of God” - and true to her name, she was a treasure to anyone she met. In the family, she was known as “Saint Dorothy” and her dazzling smile, personal warmth, and infectious laughter lit up the rooms and lives of all who knew her and her delightful and generously loving spirit will live on in all those whose lives she touched.

A brief funeral, followed by a joyful celebration of her life, and a Gospel / 50’s Music Potluck will be held at Timberline Old Town / Everyday Joe’s in Fort Collins, Colorado on Sunday, September 18th, from 3-5pm. Attendees should bring a fun 50’s / 60’s style casserole or dish to share. Cards and flowers for the service can be sent to her son, Erik Lunde, at 3421 Surrey Lane, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80524. In lieu of flowers, you can also make a donation to the Walk To End Alzheimer’s: https://bit.ly/3Bn4Bp5. Thoughts, stories, photos and remembrances of Dorothy can also be left online on the Viegut Funeral Home "Tribute Wall”. Click on this link: https://viegutfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/293738/Dorothy-Lunde/condolences.html#content-start

Dorothy had truly excellent taste in music, and her home was always filled with the sounds of great Folk, Soul, R&B, Rock & Roll, Gospel, Bluegrass and Traditional country. She especially loved Sam Cooke, The Staple Singers, The Stanley Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Iris Dement, and Ian and Sylvia. Her favorite hobbies were “weekend yard sailing” to local rummage sales, walking and bicycling, road-tripping, and hanging out with her close family and friends. She made great chocolate chip cookies. She loved being outdoors, and she loved to gather wildflowers and “pretty weeds”. She had good taste and she kept an impeccably clean house. She REALLY knew how to vacuum, clean, and rearrange her furniture. She may have been the word’s greatest vacuumer.

She was born Dorothy Dianne Torgerson on October 15th, 1942, into a big Norwegian Lutheran family of 7 children in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin to Torger and Mabel Torgerson (Rollefson). She grew up in the tiny hamlet of Mapleton, Wisconsin and was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran church in Stone Bank. She attended Oconomowoc High School, Class of 1960, and was both a beloved cheerleader and her class Homecoming Queen. She graduated from Mankato State college in Minnesota, class of 1964, where she received a BA in Sociology. She was a Pi Delta Pi sorority sister. After graduation, she married Jerry Lunde in 1966, raised their two children with love, and lived in the Oconomowoc area until 1984 when she moved to Arizona. She worked as a social worker for the City of Phoenix from 1985-2005. Upon retirement, she moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where she spent her final years, before her illness, helping her daughter and son raise, entertain and spoil her two grandchildren. She was a passionate member of Timberline Old Town Church where she made many good friends.

Dorothy is survived by her two children; daughter, Krista Stanley; son, Erik Lunde; granddaughter, Maya Stanley; and grandson, Sawyer Lunde; her siblings, Nancy Hoffmann, Jean Beatty, Tryg Torgerson, and Orin Torgerson. She was preceded in death by her parents Torger and Mabel Torgerson (Rollefson), husband Jerome Lunde, sister Lois Siegel, and brother Gary Torgerson. She will be dearly missed. 

Dorothy D. Lunde (Torgerson) Celebration Of Life 

Timberline Old Town Church 

144 S Mason St, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Sunday, September 18th 3-5pm 

970-224-4138