Dorothy Emma Agnes LaPointe Dillon Lunderman was born on June 7, 1921 in Billings, Montana to Samuel LaPointe and Clara Courtis. She passed away on February 2, 2016 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital Hospice of the Hills in Rapid City, South Dakota surrounded by family.
Dorothy spent her childhood years in Billings, Pryor, Hardin, and St Xavier, Montana. When she was approximately 12 years old, the family relocated to Rosebud, South Dakota. She attended St Mary’s School for Girls in Springfield, South Dakota, and learned to play the piano while attending St. Mary’s School for Girls. Upon leaving St. Mary’s School for Girls and returning home to Rosebud, her career as an organist began. She graduated from the Rosebud Community High School on May 20, 1938.
On June 9, 1939 Dorothy married Jesse Dillon in White River, South Dakota. To this union, one son was born, Hubert Dillon, on March 4, 1940. The family lived in Rapid City, South Dakota for a period of time. Jesse Dillon passed away on April 7, 1944 leaving to mourn his widowed wife, Dorothy, and their son, Hubert.
Dorothy met Lewellyn “Buck” Wright and to this union, one son was born, Richard “Tuffy” Wright, on July1, 1946.
Dorothy married Theodore “Ted” Lunderman on January 14, 1947. Richard “Tuffy” Wright was adopted by Ted, thus, this union joined two families which included seven children: Alex Lunderman Sr., Keith “Korky” Lunderman Sr., Vernon “Babe” Lunderman, Rueben “Buzz” Lunderman, Alfreda Lunderman, Bonnie Lunderman, Hubert Dillon, and Richard “Tuffy” Lunderman. Ted passed away on June 3, 1989.
Throughout the years, Dorothy was also employed at the Dam Café, PHS Hospital, Rosebud Boarding School, Paulhamus Store, Dakota Plains Legal Services and Sinte Gleska University Library. Dorothy also attended classes while employed at the Sinte Gleska University Library.
Many of the employees and students at the Rosebud Boarding School became family. Dorothy and Ted always had an “open door” to their home. They took in several children and raised them as their own: William “Bumps” Eastman, William “Bill” Means were two who were very dear to her.
Dorothy had many nieces and nephews whom she loved and cherished throughout her lifetime. She also had a special friend, Jeanette Damon, who became her traveling partner after Ted’s passing. Family was important to Dorothy and she made a point to visit whenever she could. Dorothy loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren but her heart held a special place for her great great grandchildren feeling fortunate that she was able to share their lives with them and know them.
She will be remembered across the miles for the beautiful organ music she shared over a span of 65 years. Dorothy played for just about every occasion she was asked, weddings, wakes, funerals, anniversaries, and church services in every denomination.
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