Dorothy Corrine (Kurtz) Lees of Brookings, SD, peacefully passed away at home under hospice care on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, at the age of 93. She was met by her beloved husband of 73 years to dance through the gates of heaven. He passed away on Feb. 10, 2021.
No services will be held at this time.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Dorothy was born to Edward Kurtz and Gertrude (Davis) Kurtz on July 16, 1927, on a farm south of White, SD.  She was the third of seven children. She grew up on area farms working along side her father.  Dorothy graduated from White High School and attended Teacher’s College in Madison, SD.  After college, she taught in a one room school house that is now in the Volga Museum.
Dorothy met her husband, Bob, a WWII Navy Veteran at a dance. They were married on October 17, 1947. Dorothy was a talented seamstress, making beautiful dresses for her daughters when they were young.  She also made beautiful quilts, including ones for her granddaughters as high school graduation gifts.
Known by her children as a master bread maker; her children will fondly remember walking in the door on a cold winter day to the delicious smell of bread coming from the oven. Dorothy always said; “Growing up poor during the depression made her appreciate and be grateful for the everyday things in life that we all take for granted.”
Dorothy was a lifetime member of the Catholic Church.  She and Bob loved to dance, especially Polka. They traveled extensively to dances, including three-day Polka Fests and Polka Cruises. They were pictured in many newspaper articles about Oktoberfests throughout the country.  Dorothy was in her dirndl and Bob in his lederhosen.
Survivors include six of their nine children; Peggy Price (Dennis Morgan) of Longmont CO, Rebecca Belsaas (Richard) of Rapid City, SD, Mark Lees (Sue) of Fairmont, MN, Gregg Lees (Kari) of Aurora SD, Richard Lees (Connie) Brandon, SD, and Cindie Baken (Mark) of Wisconsin Dells, WI; grandchildren: Bradon Price, Kamaria  (Alan) Griffen, Amy and Megan Lees, Kristin, Erika, and Andrew Belsaas; great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Amelia Griffin; her brother, Clinton Kurtz; and her sister, Kay Borst.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert (Bob); by three children, Roberta Rae Lees, Scott Robert Lees, and David John Lees; and siblings, Dan Kurtz, Eleanor Jensen, Marjorie Gerberding and Barbara Johnson.