Dorothy May Gronlund

She was born in Farmersburg, Iowa, daughter of Hervey and Mahelia (Mahnke) Dahlstrom. In 1951, she married Robert B. Gronlund, who predeceased her in 2007. A beloved Mom and Nana, she is survived by 4 children and their spouses, Gaye Gronlund (Bruce Corner), Robin Willis (Randy), Gregg Gronlund (Lorie Robertson), and Jamie Goodman (Michael); 8 grandchildren and their spouses; 9 great-grandchildren; 7 nieces and nephews; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Glen and Shirley Gronlund.

Dotti began singing at the age of two for pennies on the steps of the post office where her father was Postmaster in her hometown. She studied piano and at age twelve began to play both piano and organ for her church.

She graduated from Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa with a Bachelor’s degree in Music. She was the first Diamond Jubilee scholarship winner and a soloist with the famed Wartburg Choir which toured each year throughout the United States and Canada. She earned a Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of South Florida, Tampa.

She was a voice and piano teacher, an elementary and high school teacher, as well as a choir conductor at a number of churches and synagogues. She also taught voice at St. Petersburg and Palm Beach Community Colleges.

Dotti sang in opera and musical comedy, presented recitals and concerts, and was soloist for many organizations and events. She has appeared in Brigadoon, Finian’s Rainbow, Little Mary Sunshine, Candide, and Sound of Music (with Shirley Jones). She was a member of the Drama Guild at Bethesda-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church and had leading roles in a number of chancel dramas. She served twice as President of the Music Study Club of Palm Beach County and on the Music Committees of Bethesda and the Norton Museum of Art. She was on the board of the Elizabeth Norton Society of the Norton Museum and served as its President for two years.

Dotti was an avid golfer, and art collector. She loved traveling, cruising frequently and traveling extensively in the United States and the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada and Europe, plus individual trips to South Africa, Brazil, Israel, Japan and Hong Kong.

A celebration of life will be held in Palm Beach at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to The Church of Bethesda-By-the-Sea Palm Beach or to the Palm Beach Opera.