Dorothy Elaine Edwards

(November 19, 1927-November 17, 2020)

Dorothy Elaine Edwards, 93, of Cook, Minnesota, passed away at Cook Care Center on November 17, 2020.

Dorothy was born on November 19, 1927 in Taylor, North Dakota to Edwin and Minnie Dettman Wullschleger.  She was the middle child of 3.

Dorothy's family moved to Brookfield, Wisconsin when she was a child. Dorothy graduated from Waukesha High School, then attended Milwaukee Downer College graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Zoology in 1949.  Dorothy then started her career as a Medical Laboratory Scientist at Milwaukee Hospital.

Dorothy met the love of her life, a young Mining Engineer, PK (Paul K) Edwards, also beginning his career in Milwaukee, in 1951. They married on May 3, 1952 in Brookfield, Wisconsin.  After their first of 6 children was born, Dorothy chose to be a full-time mother and homemaker. PK's career as an engineer also became Dorothy's career.  Dorothy was PK's confidant, motivator, and advocate in the success and promotion of his engineering profession. If a promotion for PK involved a move for the family, Dorothy was in full support, made the necessary arrangements, and off they went from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, LeSueur, Minnesota, Connecticut, and finally to Lake Vermilion in Cook, Minnesota.

Dorothy, her brother, Richard Wullschleger, and PK were often a threesome in their camping and traveling. The three of them discovered the great fishing on Lake Vermilion, leading them to buy a property on Metsa Rd as a vacation/retirement home.  As time passed, their family of 8 grew to 33 with children getting married, grandchildren getting married and great-grandchildren arriving to increase the joys of their family.  Lake Vermilion has been a very special summer gathering place for Dorothy and PK's growing family every summer, as two weeks every summer are reserved for the entire Edwards Clan to convene and socialize at the Cross and Dragon cabin at the lake.

Dorothy was a life-long learner and shared her knowledge and quest to learn more with her children.  Dorothy planned the family's three-week camping vacations every summer. She included visits to the historical museums, art exhibits, tours of famous Americans' homes, and cultural events in the area.  She and PK enjoyed the symphony and had season tickets wherever they lived. A love of ballet was shared with her daughters.

Dorothy was a volunteer in many organizations and community activities.  As an avid reader, she belonged to several book clubs, enrolled in Adult Learning classes whenever available, always on a quest to acquire knowledge.

Dorothy's grandchildren called her Mutti. She loved being a grandmother, driving to every one of her children's homes when a baby arrived to spend a week or so meeting her newest grandchild and helping her children's growing families. As a grandmother, she was always encouraging, loving, and supportive of each grandchild as he or she grew up.

Dorothy is  survived by her daughters Diane (Tom) Draper, Cathy (Denis) Burand, Janet (George) Csolak, Sandy (John) Halonen, son John (Maggie) Edwards, grandchildren Christopher, Michael, Nicholas, Seth, Elizabeth, Becky, Rachel, Kate, Dan, Josh, Matthew, Jennifer, Benjamin, Sam, great grandchildren Kaden, Kinlee, Kyler, Allura, Philip, Violet, Ann, Thomas, Levi, and Addie, and William.

She was preceded in death by husband PK and son Philip, her parents, sister Ethel, and brother Richard.

She will always be remembered for her warm smile, her contagious laugh, and her easy-going demeanor.  She lived a full, wonderful life and will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

A Memorial Service and celebration of Dorothy's life will be scheduled for July 2021. To leave an online condolence visit www.mlakerfuneralhome.com