Funeral services for Dorothy M. Buchanan, age 79, of Gordonsville, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at United Methodist Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Bromeland will officiate. Private interment will be in Stateline Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m. today at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the services at the church.

Dorothy died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003, at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Dorothy M. Buchanan was born April 7, 1924, to Leo and Annis (Egdal) Rhoades in Victor, Iowa. She attended schools in Victor and Glenville and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1940 at the age of 16.

On March 18, 1944, Dorothy was united in marriage to Bruce Buchanan at the Glenville Methodist Church. The couple resided in rural Gordonsville for 59 years. Dorothy was a member of the Gordonsville Methodist Church for 51 years and a member of the Albert Lea United Methodist for the last eight years. She had been a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, a member of the church board and the choir, and a marriage enrichment leader for 22 years. Dorothy was a charter member of Green Thumb Garden Club of Northwood, a 4-H leader for 15 years, treasurer of the State Line Cemetery Association, and was involved in peer counseling and Project Charlie. She was known for her fresh bread and wonderful cinnamon rolls. Everyone enjoyed Dorothy’s beautiful Hosta gardens and she gave many &uot;starts&uot; to family and friends. Dorothy did flower arrangements and corsages for several family weddings. She liked painting pictures, was an excellent seamstress, and took pride in the beauty of a &uot;homey&uot; home.

Survivors include her husband, Bruce Buchanan; children: Ron and his wife Sharon Buchanan, Paul and his wife Renee Buchanan, Gary and his wife Val Buchanan, and Laurie and her husband Rick Sistek; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Lorraine Johnson; brother, Raymond &uot;Dusty&uot; and his wife Ruth Rhoades; and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Edna Johnson, Vi Hylbak, and Ruth Palmer; infant brothers: Vernon and Keith; and brothers-in-law: Clarence Johnson, Marc Hylbak, Royden Johnson, and Don Palmer.

Memorials preferred to Minnesota Alzheimers Association.

May Dorothy’s memory be with us always.