Dorothy Stake

Dorothy Stake, 92, of Lennox, SD, died Monday, March 20, 2017 at the Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls, SD. Dorothy Marie (Swedzinski) Stake was born August 6, 1924 in Canby, Minnesota. Dorothy graduated from St. Cloud Teacher's College and on July 18, 1946, she married William F. (Bill) Stake in Taunton, Minnesota. In 1956, Dorothy and Bill moved to Lennox, South Dakota where they made their home. Dorothy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, homemaker, teacher and volunteer. Dorothy was an active member of the St. Magdalen Catholic Church in Lennox for more than 60 years, where she was a member of the Altar Society, Parish Council and Catholic Daughters, Court St. Christina. Dorothy enjoyed her large extended family which included her church, community and many friends. Dorothy was a tireless volunteer and advocate for countless organizations throughout her life. One of her great passions was the American Cancer Society (ACS) , where she dedicated more than 25 years of volunteer service. Dorothy was the first woman elected from South Dakota (SD) to serve on the ACS National Board of Directors and she was the first woman to serve as Chairman of the SD ACS Board of Directors. Dorothy lobbied and wrote legislation which contributed to the removal of cigarette vending machines (next to soda and snack machines) in SD and the ban of smoking in airplanes, public buildings and restaurants. Dorothy was passionate about stopping teenage smoking and marketing by the tobacco industry that targeted teens in TV commercials and magazines. She was instrumental in defeating R.J. Reynolds's campaign to market a cigarette that was named after her beloved South Dakota. Dorothy was honored to receive the Theodore C. Marrs MD award, the highest award given by the National ACS, to only one volunteer in the nation for outstanding work in Public Issues and Advocacy. Additionally, Dorothy served as a Gubinatorial Appointee to both the SD Public Housing Authority and the SD Commission on Child Support Enforcement; was active in state and local politics, serving as county chairman of her political party for eight years; was chairman of the Lennox Good Samaritan Home Advisory Board for seven years; elected to USD's Shrine to Music Museum, Board of Directors and many more. Dorothy is survived by her children: Tim Stake, Sioux Falls, SD; Cathy (Richard) Dean, Canal Fulton, OH; Mary Avair, Harrisburg, SD; Patrice (Mark) Mingo, Milwaukee, WI; nine grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; brother, Tom (Madeline) Swedzinski, Porter, MN; sister, Ruth Jacob, Simi Valley, CA; and her many nieces, nephews and their families, whom she dearly loved. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, William F. (Bill) Stake; daughter, Julle Anne Stake; granddaughter, Catherine Mary Van Bockern; sister, Helen McGuire and brother, Frank Swedzinski. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March, 24 at St. Magdalen's Catholic Church with burial to follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will begin at 5:00 p.m Thursday, at St. Magdalen's Catholic Church with the Rosary at 6:40 p.m. and a Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. The Dindot-Klusmann Funeral Home, Lennox, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Julle Anne Stake Field Lights Fund c/o Lifescape Foundation or the Catherine Mary Van Bockern Scholarship Fund c/o Augustana University.

Dorothy Stake

August 6, 1924 - March 20, 2017

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