June 12th, 1921 – Sunday, December 30, 2007
Service Information
Salem Evangelical Lutheran Chu
Thursday, January 3rd, 2008
1pm
Visitation Information
Dolores Esther Bethke, age 86, of Greenfield died Sunday, December 30th, 2007 at her residence.
She was born on June 12, 1921 in Greenwood Township, Hennepin County the daughter of Charles & Alvina (Rehmus) Sieloff.
Dolores was baptized at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greenwood Township by The Reverend William Haar, Sr. on September 1, 1921. She was also instructed in the Lutheran Catechism and confirmed in the Christian faith on March 25, 1934 at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church by The Reverend W.P. Haar, Sr. Her confirmation Memory verse was Psalm 37:4
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
On March 2, 1946, Dolores Sieloff & Emil F. Bethke were joined in holy marriage at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Reverend W.P. Haar, Jr. performed the wedding ceremony. God blessed their marriage with four children.
Together Dolores & Emil engaged in dairy farming for many years. First they farmed south of Lake Charlotte in Wright County. In November of 1946, they began farming the Sieloff homestead in Hennepin County. Together the couple milked Guernsey dairy cattle for more than fifty years.
Dolores was a faithful, lifetime member of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church and belonged to its Ladies Aid.
Survived by husband, Emil; children, Gloria (David) Kramer of Gibbon, Al (Agnes) Bethke of Loretto, Byron Bethke of Otsego & Ruth (Tom) Zellmer of Menasha, Wisconsin; thirteen grandchildren: Joshua, Jeremiah, Rachel and Rebecca Kramer; Aaron Bethke and fiancée Jennifer, Aric and Andrew Bethke, Aaron A.J. Bethke and special friend LeighAnn, Cassandra and Tyler Bethke, August, Eben and Gretta Zellmer; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by her parents, a daughter-in-law: Judy Bethke, brothers: Chester & Vernon, sisters: Evelyn, Laurina & Alice.
Funeral services for Dolores Bethke were held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, January 3rd at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greenfield. Pastor Dennis K. Strong officiated. Interment followed at Salem Lutheran Cemetery.
A visitation was held at the church on Wednesday, January 2nd from 4 till 8 PM.
Casket Bearers were Joshua & Jeremiah Kramer, Aaron, Aric & Andrew Bethke and Aaron A.J. Bethke.