Dorothy Edwards Batko

Dorothy peacefully passed away on September 2, 2016 at Episcopal Homes in St. Paul.

She was born in Minneapolis on September 29, 1920 to Gilpin Winfield and Ruth Crawford Edwards.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Adam Daniel, parents, sister, Jane Greenlun, brother James Edwards and son-in-law Michael Wojcehowicz.

She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, educator and friend. Dorothy grew up in Minneapolis, Coon Rapids and Anoka. Upon graduation from Anoka Senior High School, she attended Hamline University and Twin City Business College, where she obtained an accounting degree. Following her college graduation and during World War II, she worked for the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis and the Office of the Surgeon General in Washington DC. Dorothy returned to Anoka in 1945 met and married Adam Batko. They settled in Anoka and raised six children, Patricia (James) Schaffran, Charles (Kathleen Lundberg) Batko, Kathleen Wojcehowicz, Candace (Patrick) Funk, Kevin (Gianna DaGiau) Batko and Jeanne (Christopher) Biggins. She was a devoted grandmother to Andrew and Peter Schaffran; Charles and Nicholas Batko; Heather Bizay, Amy Ott, Jeffrey and Patrick Wojcehowicz; Matthew and John Funk and Elizabeth Stoner; Benjamin Batko; Katelyn, Adam and Elizabeth Biggins. Dorothy is also survived by 18 cherished great grandchildren, her brother Gregory Edwards, her many nieces and nephews and dear friends. A lifelong member of St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Anoka, she served on the parish council and as a Eucharistic Minister. While raising her five oldest children, she went back to school earning a teaching certificate from St. Cloud State University. For over 25 years, she taught fourth and fifth grades at St. Stephen's Catholic School. After retirement, Dorothy and Adam spent many wonderful winters in Florida. A lifelong volunteer, she used her considerable energy and talents as a Girl Scout leader, parish bookkeeper and hospice driver. She was a Meals on Wheels volunteer and worked at the Anoka County Brotherhood Store volunteering there until her late 80's. Her life was truly well-lived.

Dorothy's visitation is at Gearhart Funeral Home in Anoka on Thursday, September 8 from 5-8 PM with a prayer service at 7:00.

Mass of Christian Burial at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Anoka is Friday, September 9 at 11:00 AM with visitation an hour before her funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the St. Stephen's School Library, 506 Jackson Street, Anoka, Minnesota 55303.

GEARHART 763-755-6300

GearhartFuneralHome.com