Dorthy Elizabeth Larson was born on October 25, 1932, near Viborg, SD, to parents Chester and Tina (Hansen) Hankins. She died August 9, 2012, at the age of 79. Dorthy received 7½ years of education at the District 81 Country School and the Hurley School. She earned her GED in 1976. Dorthy married Merlyn Larson on March 25, 1951. The couple lived in the Centerville area where she worked at various jobs. Merlyn died in 1999, and Dorthy continued to reside in Centerville until her death. Dorthy was a member of Scandia Lutheran Church where she was active in many roles in Ladies Aid, Circle, Quilters, the Board of Fellowship, and the Christian Women's Board. She was also a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary where she had served as the Sergeant-at-Arms. Dorthy also belonged to the Good Samaritan Helpers Club. Dorthy thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Family was always Dorthy's first priority. She was an excellent cook and loved to prepare holiday meals for her family. She loved being a member of the VIP Club in Beresford, SD, where she took part in numerous bus trips. Dorthy is survived by three children: Linda (Jens) Paulsen, Hurley, DeWayne (Sonia) Larson, Sioux Falls, SD, and Charlotta (Steven) Hagenbuch, Charlotte, NC; seven grandchildren, Jess (Mellissa) Paulsen, Tina Hilt, Lars (Bobbie) Paulsen, Andy (Jenea) Hagenbuch, Cody Hagenbuch, Jeremy (Meggan) Larson, and Heidi Larson and her fiancé, Kevin Murphy; eight great-grandchildren, and three special great-nieces and -nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Merlyn, four brothers and two sisters. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at Scandia Lutheran Church, Centerville, with burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery, rural Centerville. Visitation will be Monday, August 13, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Wass Funeral Home in Centerville.