Noreen “Dolly” Pieper, age 90, of Isanti died November 25, 2013 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 30th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Isanti with Fr. Jose as Celebrant. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the Funeral Saturday at the church and also from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Friday, November 29th with a Vigil and Rosary at 7:00 P.M. at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel. Interment will be in Isanti Union Cemetery.
Noreen Elizabeth Pieper was born January 11, 1923 in Wilmont, MN to Nicholas and Lena (Meyer) Broich. Dolly grew up in Wilmont, where she also met Francis Pieper. They were married April 16, 1941 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Wilmont. They made their home and started a family in Williams, MN until Francis left to serve in WWII. Dolly moved back to Wilmont until Francis returned from the war. They moved several times, but eventually settled in Isanti, MN. Dolly worked in and around the community and was a long time devoted member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
Dolly cared deeply for her family and everyone she knew. She was known for her bright eyes, lovely smile, warm hugs, and generous blessings. She loved to do needle work, bake, and garden. Dolly was also an avid crafter and could creatively repurpose anything into something beautiful. She took many of her creations to the county fair and won several ribbons. Dolly also enjoyed dancing, playing cards, dice, bingo, and watching her beloved MN Twins. Dolly simply enjoyed life and had a great sense of humor. She will be dearly missed.
Dolly is survived by two sons, Paul (Michelle) Pieper of Princeton, Dan Pieper of Kanabec County; four daughters, LaVonne Smith of Shoreview, Barbara (Bob) Younts of San Antonio, TX, Julie (Rick) Magnuson of Ramsey, Mary Beth Pieper of Isanti; 14 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and by many other relatives and friends. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Francis; son, David; brothers, Milton, Cletus (WWII), Jerome, and Leonard Broich; and sisters, Margaret “Girlie” Hull, Eleanor “Tutie” Stuntebeck, and Mary “Madie” Fletcher.
Grandma,
I love you and I will miss you. Thanks for loving me!
Dolly! What a wonderful friend. I only met her in her later years when she was homebound. As a volunteer from St. Elizabeth’s, I visited her; our conversations and card games were always a fun time and always before leaving, we would exchange blessings. I will miss seeing her; she’ll remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Dolly was my last aunt. I’m 71 so I’ve known Dolly all my life. I saw her 2 years ago when I went back for a H.S. reunion. She made a special trip to Wilmont just to see me. Even though we had not seen each other in years, she made me feel like we talked daily. For a short period in the early 60s, I was out of the navy, and I lived with Dolly and her family. I was part of her family. I’ve always loved Dolly, and I always will. She is now one of Gods angels, and she will continue looking out for us all.
Aunt Dolly was always a person of tender heart and a kind soul. She could find a little bit of
humor and wisdom in everything. Her laughter was contagious! Aunt Dolly bestowed upon
her children her family values which later blessed her with a close family relationships with
all of them. She will truly be missed by all her relatives and friends near and far.
Mary Beth and Family, My thoughts are with you at this sad time and into the coming holiday season and new year. A Van Pool Friend, Linda Fredlund, Cambridge