Dorothy M. De Lacy

Dorothy Mae De Lacy joined her heavenly Savior at home with family surrounding her on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. She was born on January 25, 1940 in Norwalk, WI to David and Martha (Fuenger) Pottinger. As the oldest of five children, she carried many responsibilities on the family farm. One of her favorite stories was working in the “pickle patch” each summer to earn money for school clothing. The occasional cucumber would be flung by an unseen sibling from a row away. Dorothy was forced to enroll in school early in order to keep the school’s doors open. She graduated from Norwalk High School in 1957 and St. Francis School of Nursing in 1960. Dorothy met Theodore De Lacy in September 1960. He proposed on their third date but she didn’t say yes for a few more months. They married at Saint Mary’s Church in Cashton, WI, on June 10, 1961.

Ted and Dorothy had several moves early in their marriage before buying a farm in rural La Crescent in 1970. She spent the next 9 years raising a huge garden and taking vacation days from the hospital to bale hay before selling and moving into town.

Dorothy’s nursing career spanned 44 years and included both St. Francis and Lutheran hospitals. She proudly served as Treasurer of WISPAN, her state post anesthesia nursing association, for several years. She enjoyed traveling to several national conferences during her tenure.

Dorothy was the busiest retiree there has ever been. She loved to be on the go, often traveling to new sites across the country and beyond. She founded a local Red Hat chapter, participated in several card playing groups, organized meals with both her and Ted’s cousins, babysat her local grandchildren, and was very active at her church, where she was a circle leader, Eucharistic minister, sang in the funeral choir, and volunteered at several events. She was even known to scrub the school kitchen from ceiling to floor one summer.

Dorothy’s proudest accomplishment was her family. Dorothy hosted every holiday and you didn’t dare miss it. The house was overflowing with decorations for every holiday, fresh meals made from scratch, and especially her delicious desserts. She was generous with gifts and doted on her grandchildren.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 64 years; children Gary (Kathy), Pamela, Thomas (Gail), Robert (Hyekyong), and Sarah (Gary Beardmore); grandchildren Stephanie (Taylor Bley), Mallory (Jonathan Fransen), Kaylee (Brett Noonan) , Kristen (Ryan Hombsch), Jessica, Ashley, Lance, Logan, Madeline, Alexander, Samuel, and Gabrielle; and great grandchildren, Hayden, Hudson, and Mila. She is also survived by her siblings, Harlan (Betty) Pottinger, Shirley (Rodney) Lester, LaVern (Judy) Pottinger, and David (Amy Schanhofer) Pottinger Jr. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Thank you to Saint Croix Hospice for their support in Mom’s last days. Memorials may be given to Church of the Crucifixion to support their building campaign. In honor of Dorothy’s love of bright colors we encourage you to wear vibrant clothing to her services.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at the Church of the Crucifixion in La Crescent, MN. Rev. John L. Evans, II will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crescent and one hour prior to Mass on Thursday at the church. Committal services will follow at Crucifixion Cemetery in La Crescent.