Dorothy I. Werner, age 100 of Hastings, died peacefully with her daughter Char by her side, at Regina Assisted Living on Sunday morning, May 1, 2022. Dorothy Isabella, the daughter of Edward and Dorothy (Peine) Gerster, was born on May 13, 1921, in Farmington. Following her education, Dorothy was united in marriage to Clement "Clem" Werner on June 16, 1940, and he later preceded her in death in June of 1986. Dorothy was dedicated to her faith and cherished the time spent with family. She was a longtime caregiver to her children, Jim and Mary, to ensure they received the care they deserved. Family was important to Dorothy, whether it was cooking dinner for all of them or organizing a game of cards. Her faith was also an integral part of her life. She was an avid reader of books about the Holy Father and even into her last days was a regular at Sunday Mass. She loved spending time with her sisters, everyone knew who the “Gerster Girls” were and her trips to the cabin on Tuesdays were a highlight of each week. She was a longtime member of St. Boniface Catholic Church prior to it becoming St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clement; children, James, Mary, and Dave Werner; siblings, Olivia Lorentz, Bernice Molitor, Lorraine Rother, Al Gerster, Kathleen Leifeld; and by her son-in-law, Lance Nagayama. Dorothy is survived by her children, Charlene Nagayama and Tom (Deanna) Werner; grandchildren, Erin Freitag, Erika Greenlee, Jill (Chris) Ide, Steve Nagayama, Michael (Deirdre) Nagayama, Brittany (Ethan) Hiedeman, Luke Werner, and Amy (Joe) Hujet; eight great grandchildren; sister, Alvera Niebur; sister-in-law, Bonnie Gerster and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday May 5, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery, and a luncheon will be held at the funeral home following the graveside prayers. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings, and for one hour prior to Mass at church on Thursday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Catholic Charities of Minneapolis & St. Paul in memory of Dorothy. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dorothy I. Werner, please visit our flower store.Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Cemetery
Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel
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