Dorothy F. Upton

Dorothy Upton, 99, (nearly 1-0-0!) flew to heaven on January 4, 2016. Dorothy was born on a family farm in Tower City, N.D., to Louise and Gust Kinetz on May 17, 1916. Dorothy had one brother and two sisters.

Dorothy married her loving husband, Richard “Dick” Upton Sr., on June 26, 1937. Together, they shared passion for their family, dancing, music, playing cards, and gardening. Dorothy was very proud of her family and West Duluth roots. While raising her children, Dorothy owned and operated Upton’s Market, a local family grocery store in West Duluth, for 18 years. Dorothy was active with her many friends at the West Duluth Senior Center enjoying crafts, bingo, and performing in the Hillbilly Band. Dorothy was a feisty little red head who displayed resilience and made the best out of each situation.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; an infant child; husband, Dick; brother, Vern Kinetz; sister, Ethel “Toots” Mattson; & her best friend, Kay Howard.

Dorothy will be lovingly remembered by her sister, Evalyn France; her children, Patsy (Ernie) Kertzscher, Kathy (Jim) Bartsias, Rick (Cindy) Upton, and Sherri (Rory) Johnson; 11 grandchildren, Erich (Wendy) Kertzscher, Kip Kertzscher, Heidi (Todd) Harvey, Kadee (Chris) Watkins, Wendi (Ryan) Pederson, Jay (Molly) Bartsias, Richie (Keely) Upton, Stephanie Upton (Chris Edgcumbe), Tarah Johnson, Reid Johnson, and Seth Johnson; 12 great-grandchildren and another due in June; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation:3:00–5:00 pm Sunday, January 10, 2016 at Bell Brothers Funeral Home. Visitation will continue from 10:00 until the 11:00 am Memorial Service Monday, January 11, 2016 at Forbes United Methodist Church. Inurnment will be in Oneota Cemetery.