Dorothy Dean O’Bryan Rohde was born April 29, 1930 at the family farm near Mosher, South Dakota to Boyd and Theodoshia (Eastin) O’Bryan where she joined eleven brothers and sisters. She attended rural schools near her home through eighth grade and attended high school at St. Mary’s Catholic School in O’Neil, Nebraska where she graduated in 1948.
On June 2, 1949 Dorothy was united in marriage to Edward Rohde in Dallas, SD. Dorothy and Edward made their home on a farm South of Colome, South Dakota, where they had three children, David, Donna, and Karen, and lived for the next forty-seven years. After her children were grown, Dorothy began a career as a cook working part time at the Sale Barn Cafe in Winner, South Dakota, where she continued to work for 20 years.
Dorothy was well known for her talent as a cake decorator. Many, many birthdays, baptisms, weddings, and other special occasions were celebrated with cakes made by her throughout the neighboring communities. Her talents were many. Among them, was her ability to restore old furniture, as well as car and tractor seats, to look like new again.
In the spring of 1996, Dorothy and Edward moved to their final home in Gregory, South Dakota, due to Edward’s declining health. While living in Gregory, Dorothy continued to decorate cakes for special occasions and made several friends throughout the community. Dorothy compassionately cared for her husband during his battle with Parkinson’s disease for eight years until he lost his battle in 2004.
During her final years, Dorothy remained very social. She enjoyed greeting everyone she knew when out, but especially looked forward to her Saturday morning coffee group, card parties, Bunco parties, and visits from family, friends, and neighbors.
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