Dorothy Twesme

Dorothy Andersen Twesme went to see her Lord on December 31st, 2023. Dorothy was born in Sparta, WI on June 24, 1923, to Fred and Stella Andersen. Dorothy grew up in Cashton, Wisconsin and graduated from Cashton High School in 1941. She then attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where she earned a BS in Education. Following graduation, she moved to Galesville, WI where she began her teaching career at Galesville High School. She met Albert “Bud” Twesme, an attorney in Galesville, and they were married on July 10, 1947.

Dorothy taught English and Latin; then became the high school librarian after earning a master’s degree in media from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She was the teacher adviser for the Latin Club, and then the Library Club for many years. She was an extremely dedicated teacher who would often spend nights and weekends to work in the library and classroom. Dorothy was loved and respected by all of her students during her forty years of teaching in the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau school district.

Dorothy loved her home in Galesville and was deeply involved with the community. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Marinuka Lake Improvement District, Memorial Day Celebration, Galesville Apple Affair, Galesville Chamber of Commerce, City Library board, Old Main-East Side Preservation Society and the Galesville Sesquicentennial; actually, serving as the parade Grand Marshall. Along with her late son, Thomas Twesme, she established an annual scholarship for Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School students.

Dorothy was extremely proud of her Norwegian heritage. She traveled to Norway on two separate occasions and owned a traditional Norwegian dress that she wore on Christmas every year. Dorothy was also very involved with the Norwegian Nature and Heritage Center (Norskedalen), Coon Valley, WI. She often recited a prayer in Norwegian prior to holiday family dinners. She and her husband “Bud” traveled extensively to Europe and Hawaii; and after retirement, they spent many winters in Palm Springs, CA.

In 2008 she moved to Las Vegas, NV where she quickly became involved in her new retirement community, Las Ventanas. She was chairman of the book club, the Resident Advisory Committee and served as a Las Ventanas Ambassador. She also remained actively involved with St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church of Las Vegas.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Stella Andersen, her husband, Judge Albert L. Twesme, her son, Thomas Twesme (2017), and her brother Fred Andersen, Jr. She is survived by her three children, Dr. Albert “Ted” Twesme (Mary) of Las Vegas, Timothy Lee Twesme (Lisa) of Phoenix, Kathryn Jean Pusateri (Gary) of Eagle River, WI, her brother, Roger Andersen (Linda) Greensboro, GA. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 8901 Del Webb Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89134 on January 6, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Garden of Eden Preservation Society, Post Office Box 443, Galesville, WI 54630-0443.