Dorothy Lillian (Rick) Kotalik of Coon Rapids, MN, formerly of Grand Forks, ND, passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2021, at Arthur’s Senior Residence of Shoreview, MN. Dorothy was born on July 18, 1929 to Lillian Rose (Holecek) and Ignatius Thomas “Sonny” Rick in Brushvale, MN, the first of 11 children. She grew up on the family farm during the Great Depression, learning a work ethic that stayed with her throughout life. She met John Joseph Kotalik II at the Prom Ballroom in Minneapolis on Memorial Day, 1954. They were married on January 15, 1955 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Wahpeton, ND. From their lifelong union were born eight children.
Dorothy’s married life began in Sioux City, IA. She and John moved to Grand Forks in July, 1956, where they lived until the autumn of 1993. They moved to Coon Rapids in 1993 and made their home there until 2016, when they moved to Legacy of Saint Anthony assisted living. John passed away on November 12, 2016 and Dorothy remained at Legacy until she suffered a stroke and moved to Arthur’s in April, 2020.
Dorothy helped raise her siblings, raised eight children of her own, and still had the energy to take in a foster child and provided room, board, and emotional support to 5 unwed mothers. She loved sewing, baking Houska and Kolaches, cooking for family and anyone else who was hungry, and volunteering her spare time to Scouts, 4H, and the Catholic Church. John and Dorothy enjoyed many friendships through the years and especially loved to walk a block from their home on Chestnut Street for dinner and dancing at the Elks Lodge. Dorothy always wanted to go to college and achieved her goal later in life. She attended the University of North Dakota and earned a B.A. in Social Work at the age of 60. Dorothy’s positive influence on the world can be found anywhere you look, from the kindness of her great-grandchildren to her contributions to the Holy Family Catholic Church cookbook. As a classmate wrote in her yearbook many years ago, “Dorothy needs no umbrellas because she walks in eternal sunshine.”
Despite social distancing requirements, Dorothy celebrated her 91st birthday on July 18, 2020. Friends and family formed a parade to drive past her residence and greet her on her special day.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, her sons David (Becky) Kotalik, Jerome “Jerry” Kotalik, her sister Arlene (Harris) Stockmoe, and her brothers Ignatius “Iggy” (Bertha) Rick, John (Ginny) Rick, Paul (Nona) Rick, Edward Rick, Michael Rick, Gerald (Betty) Rick, and Joseph Rick.
Dorothy is survived by children John (Judy Sinclaire) “Bud” Kotalik III, Kirkland, WA, Stephen (Nancy) Kotalik, Marion, IA, Kathleen (Dennis) Johnson, Watford City, ND, Elizabeth Kotalik, Santa Cruz, CA, Jeanne (Daniel) Kelsey, Roseville, MN, Charles (Terri) Kotalik, Coon Rapids, MN, daughter-in-law Becky Kotalik, Blaine, MN, sisters Rose Anne Brink, Oceanside, CA and Mary Jane (Fred) Crafton,
El Segundo, CA, twelve grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and an extended family including many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be on March 5, 4:00-7:00 p.m., Gearhart Funeral Home, Coon Rapids, MN.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Joe Whelen on March 6 at 11:00 a.m., Church of St. Timothy, Blaine, MN. Due to current CDC and State of MN guidelines, attendance will be limited to 50 people at the Mass.
There will be NO visitation on Saturday and seating will begin at 10:30am.
Social distancing and masks will be required.
Dorothy will be laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN, alongside the love of her life, John.
Dorothy's family requests donations in her honor to Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, helpfightra.org.
www.GearhartFuneralHome.com
