Dorothy Mary Waibel passed away unexpectedly Friday, August 30, 2024, at Vista Prairie at Ridgeway on German at the age of 89.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm with burial following in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home NORTH Chapel in New Ulm.

The Christian Mother's Society will pray the rosary at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm.

Dorothy was born February 11, 1935, to Emil and Adelinde (Schroepfer) Hoffmann in Sleepy Eye, MN, the eldest of 10 children.  Dorothy graduated from Sleepy Eye St. Mary's High School in 1953 and began dating the love of her life, Willard Waibel, and patiently waited for him to finish his Army service.  They were married on June 14, 1956, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye.

After marriage they lived on the family farm in Sigel Township where Dorothy worked beside Willard as they raised their growing family.  They were blessed with 4 daughters and 2 sons.  As the children got older, Dorothy began working at Herberger's in New Ulm and eventually was employed 20 years with the State of Minnesota in the Driver & Vehicle Services Department, until her retirement.  She and Willard moved to New Ulm in 1999, where they lived until moving to Vista Prairie at Ridgeway on German in June of 2023.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 68 years; children, Julie Kraus (Doug Willaby), Comfrey, Carol (Mark) Reedstrom, North Mankato, Dan (Jean), Sheboygan, WI, Mary (Joe) Ulrey, Naples, FL, Susie (Hugh) Rosser, Clermont, FL, and Greg (Max) of Honolulu, HI; 12 grandchildren: Jason, Melissa, Ryan, Jennifer, Michael, Andrew, Taylor, Amanda, Travis, Clara, Robert, and Alex; and 11 great grandchildren; siblings, Helen Treml and Louise Guggisberg, New Ulm, Alice (Bob) Tanley, Searles, Mike (Marjorie), Patrick (Janice), Tony (Joyce), and Charles, all of Sleepy Eye, and sister-in-law, Betty Tempel of Austin, MN, as well as many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, James and Edward, son-in-law, Doug Kraus, brothers-in-law, Dennis Treml and Wallace Guggisberg, and many other relatives and friends.

Dorothy enjoyed sewing and other crafts, making many of her own clothes as a young homemaker, and was a wonderful baker, especially when her children were at home.  She and Willard enjoyed an active social life, square dancing, card club, and keeping up with their large and extended family.  As her family grew up, she enjoyed working outside the home, making new work friends and finally having time for herself.  She and Willard especially enjoyed the many vacations, travel opportunities, and tours which took them across the country and world, as well as visits to several foreign exchange students they had hosted.

Above all, Dorothy lived a strong Catholic faith and had great love for her husband and family.  She will be deeply missed. Blessed be her memory.