Dorothy Boerhave

Dorothy Ronning Boerhave, 97, of Fergus Falls MN passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls, MN, surrounded by family.

Dorothy Louise Samuelson was born November 24, 1928, to George O. and Evelyn Louise Broadbent Samuelson in Appleton, MN at her grandmother's house. Dottie's mother passed away in 1931, and Dottie was raised by her grandmother, Evelyn Broadbent.

Dottie was baptized at United Methodist Church in Appleton, MN, and later graduated from Appleton High School in 1946. She began dating Donald Ronning in their senior year of high school. Don and Dottie were married on August 25, 1948, at the same United Methodist Church in Appleton.

Dottie graduated nursing school from St. Barnabas Hospital in Minneapolis, MN and became a registered nurse in 1949.

Don and Dottie settled in Fergus Falls, MN in 1966. In 1968 they started a family, and over the next several years adopted eight children. In 1981 Don passed away unexpectedly, and Dottie was suddenly a single parent with 8 children at home. Her unfortunate circumstances only highlighted Dottie's nurturing and compassionate nature. As she navigated the most difficult chapter of her life, she continued to be an incredibly supportive and loving parent.

In 1985, Dottie married Henry Boerhave of Ashby, MN. She felt fortunate to have found a second love later in life. They enjoyed square dancing and traveling together. Henry passed away in 1988.

Dottie retired from her career as a Registered Nurse from Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls, MN in 1994 after 45 years of caring for patients. She was known for her compassion and kindness.

Family and friends were always an integral part of Dottie's life and were extremely important to her. In retirement, Dottie enjoyed family gatherings, visiting with relatives, and getting together with friends. Some of her favorite days were spent enjoying coffee with her many friends at Cally's Cafe.

Dottie also greatly enjoyed exploring new cultures and places. She traveled extensively with friends and family. Throughout her life, she visited over 20 countries around the globe (Spain, Thailand, Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, various island nations in the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Morocco, and Monaco) as well as all 50 states.

A decades long member of Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls MN, Dottie was committed in her faith through involvement in many various church activities. She was a Sunday School teacher, a participant in women's circle Bible studies and the Women's Week at Luther Crest Bible Camp, among other things.

Dottie possessed an artist's heart and expressed this through an extensive number of creative outlets. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, fermenting yogurt, making custom paper (which she then used to create unique greeting cards), and square dancing. In her later years, she enjoyed walking around PioneerCare and visiting with anyone she met. She used her iPad and iPhone until a few months before her death-even at 97!

Dottie was preceded in death by her grandparents and parents, husbands Donald E. Ronning and Henry L. Boerhave, brothers Sheldon Samuelson, Donald Samuelson, sister Shirley (Samuelson) Berglund, daughter Caren Ronning, and beloved niece Darlene Hanson Sigurdson.

She is survived by her children: daughters Gloria (James) Schreiber of Fergus Falls, Kae (Doug) Knudsen of Maple Grove, MN, Carol Motz of Elbow Lake, MN; sons, Timothy Ronning of Saginaw, MI, Scott (Jodi) Ronning of Moorhead, MN, Jeffrey (Catherine) Ronning of Maplewood, MN, Donald (Chih-chin Huang) Ronning of Omaha, NE; Surviving are 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, especially Shelley Overturf, and many friends.

Her family is grateful for the excellent and compassionate care she received over the past six years at Pioneer Care. She loved living there. Thanks also to Vivie Hospice.

Blessed be the memory of Dorothy Louise Ronning Boerhave.

Memorials in lieu of flowers to Augustana Lutheran Church.

Service: 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, with visitation one-hour prior to the service at the church.

Clergy: Reverend Amy Kelly

Interment: Bethlehem Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com