Doreen Kaye Dietrich, 88, of New Ulm, MN, died peacefully on January 5, 2024. She was born on August 19, 1935, in Jamestown, ND, to John and Effie (Weber) Maag. Doreen met Rod Dietrich, a college man, while she was a senior in high school and the rest was history.  Doreen graduated from Jamestown High School in 1953 and she and Rod were married on September 13, 1953, and were happily married for 65 years, until Rod's passing in 2018.  Doreen and Rod lived in several states but ultimately settled in New Ulm, MN where Rod owned Pinks, later Ehlers department store. Doreen was his right hand spending many Sundays and evenings at the store helping while the kids played hide and seek among the racks.

When the nest started to empty, Doreen started college at Mankato State University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in French and English, and a BS in Education. Doreen went on to have a career in education, working as an English teacher at New Ulm Middle School and serving as a substitute teacher for District 88. She had a passion for teaching and positively impacted the lives of countless students throughout her career.

Doreen and Rod enjoyed life on the lake at their Minnesota home in Cross Lake and in their retirement years the winter months at their home in Ft. Myers, FL.  They embarked on countless adventures, traveling both alone and with family and friends to many places around the world.

Doreen was a highly creative person with many interests and talents. Doreen's artistic abilities were evident in her various hobbies. She could sew a dress just by looking at it on a mannequin. She played the violin in the local orchestra and enjoyed ceramics, painting, and drawing. However, her true works of art were the beautifully decorated birthday cakes she made for her children and grandchildren. Doreen's flower garden was also a masterpiece, bursting with vibrant colors and expanding over the years until barely any lawn was left to mow.

Cooking and entertaining brought Doreen immense joy. She loved hosting friends, planning parties, and preparing delicious meals. Doreen was a member of a gourmet club that created amazing feasts and memorable dinner parties. She was involved in various community organizations, including Friends of the Library, New Ulm Hockey Association, and the first New Ulm Heritagefest committee.  She was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and served on the board.  Additionally, she served on the board of the United Way in New Ulm and the Mankato State University Alumni Association.

Doreen had numerous interests and hobbies that she pursued in her "spare" time. She was an avid card player and a member of several bridge clubs. She had a passion for the theater whether it was attending live theater or acting in a local production.  Doreen was in her element on stage and was a member of the local theater group in New Ulm where she participated in several productions. Doreen also enjoyed golfing and rarely missed a Ladies Day at the New Ulm Country Club. In her downtime, you would often find her engrossed in her latest "good" book with a glass of iced tea at her side.

However, Doreen's greatest passion was her grandchildren and a great-grandson whom she was thrilled to welcome last year. She cherished her role as a "Nana" and was actively involved in their lives. She made it a point to be a hands-on grandma - from extended summer stays to sewing for them and with them, creating whimsical birthday cakes, and attending their birthday parties and school performances. She and Rod attended countless recitals and sports events (in rain, snow, and freezing cold), showing their unwavering support and love for their grandchildren.

Doreen is survived by her children, Laurie Dietrich (Joe Frank), Leslie Van Keulen (Jeff), Garth Dietrich (Cammie), and Leah Dietrich (Dan Ecklund). She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Jennifer Van Keulen, Jessica Van Keulen, Andrew Dietrich, Allison Ecklund, Grant (Buzz) Dietrich, Lauren Ecklund, and great-grandson, Jack Bradley.

Doreen was preceded in death by her loving husband, Rod Dietrich, her parents and her siblings: Vivian Fredrickson, Dolores Caulfield, Jerry Maag, Opal Babcock, and Dallas Maag.

A celebration of Doreen's life will be held at 11am on Saturday August 24, 2024 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in New Ulm, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.