Eleanor Dodds, 93

Eleanor Adeline Dodds, 93, died February 19, 2011 at Knute Nelson in Alexandria.

Eleanor was born October 9, 1917 in Glenwood to William and Esther (Lee) Dalager. Eleanor grew up in the rural Glenwood area, where she was baptized at the Barsness Lutheran Church. She attended country school through the 8th grade and continued her education by graduating from Glenwood High School.

On October 15, 1949, she was united in marriage to Clyde Ross Dodds, who she was married to for more than 50 years. The couple made their home in the Minneapolis metro area, where Eleanor worked for many years at Red Owl stores and the Gambles Company corporate offices in downtown Minneapolis. In 1972 the couple retired near Lake Carlos in the Alexandria area. Clyde died on September 11, 2002. Eleanor continued to live in their home until health issues caused her to become a resident at Knute Nelson of Alexandria in October 2010, where she remained until the time of her death.

Eleanor enjoyed gardening and liked growing many varieties of flowers and vegetables, which she generously shared with others. She was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria, where she was very creative making quilts, embroidering baptismal towels, and other handiwork. Many at church remember her making lefse for the annual bazaar. Eleanor loved music and was an avid reader. She especially enjoyed cooking and entertaining as she did last October for her 93rd birthday celebration, making a delicious cake and entertaining 10 guests at her home. Over the years, she loved and raised several dogs. She was loved by many people and will be truly missed.

She is survived by her son, Jeffery Allen Mason and his wife Judy of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Amy (Pat) Conlon and Jeffery Allen Mason Jr.; and six great-grandchildren, Christopher, Colin, Hannah, Jeffery, Paige and Anthony; three sisters, Myra Brenden of Willmar, Wanda Wagner of Brandon, and Arlene Frederick of Clinton; four brothers, William E. Dalager of Tucson, AZ, Richard D. Dalager (Pat) of Glenwood, Kenneth B. Dalager (Judy) of Villard, and Gerald J. Dalager (Cheryl) of Florida; sisters-in-law, Elaine (Haakenstad) Dalager, Patricia (Cooley) Dalager, Judy (Beisswenger) Dalager, Jeanne (Buscho) Drewrey and Cheryl (Coffman) Dalager; many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Dodds; her parents; and two brothers, Harlan L. Dalager (Elaine) and Hans L. Dalager (Jeanne); brothers-in-law, Clermont Brenden, Wayne C. Meggers, Florian Wagner, Donald Frederick; sisters-in-law, Louise Dalager and Barbara Dalager.

Funeral services for Eleanor were held Tuesday, February 22 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria with the Rev. Donald Reisig officiating. Burial was at Barsness Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Glenwood.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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