Doreen, fondly known to many as Dee was born November 13, 1923 to Arden Joseph and Stella Evelyn (Kaczmarek) Nelson in Ivanhoe, MN.
She attended elementary and secondary school in Ivanhoe. After High School, she attended Lincoln County Teacher Training and later, Mankato Teachers College. She taught for three years in Lincoln and Nicollet Counties.
On August 29, 1946, Dee married James Martin Hunziker; together they had 16 children. They were able to celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary before Jim's death on January 13, 2004.
Dee began a career in healthcare at St Joseph's Hospital in Mankato under the care and direction of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother as a nurses' aid. She returned to school and received a nursing degree in 1970 from Mankato Area Vocational School as an LPN. She was employed with Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital tor 31 years. During her years of service, she received many letters and notes from appreciative patients and their families, expressing their gratitude for her gentle, caring nature. After retiring she volunteered for the ISJ Hospice Program. Dee was a member of St Peter and Paul's Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters. She had many interests and hobbies over the years. First and foremost were her husband and children, Gardening, cooking, music and dancing, crossword puzzles, friends, and volunteer work in the community filled her days.
Dee Hunziker is survived by 14 Children; James M "Michael" Hunziker and wife Susie (Ario), Lakeville; Mara F Sahota and husband Sohan, Woodburv; Anne M Dickerman and husband Robert, Albert Lea; Peter M Hunziker, Onalaska, Wl; Jayne E Lonergan and husband Michael, Edina; Laura K Weness and husband B.J., Blue Earth; Paul-Arden Hunziker and partner Jack Rumpel, Minneapolis; Claire T Heihn, Shoreview; Beth E Hunziker Mishek, Minneapolis; Joseph A Hunziker, Seattle, WA; Gretchen Maher and husband Brendan, Mankato; Peggy V Maertens and husband Timothy, Mankato, Susan Hunziker and husband Jerry Smith, Chaska: and Anastasia A Hunziker, Minneapolis; Sister Carol Jean Lundgren and husband Chuck, CO; 29 beloved grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews. She is also survived by, brothers-in-law John "Jack" Hunziker, and Ralph Ireland, both of Mankato: and sister-in-law Arlene "Mike" Hunziker, Rochester.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jim; infant daughter Stephanie; stillborn son; brother Darrell Nelson; sister-in-law Mary Ireland and nephew Gary Nelson.
Funeral Services were 1:00 PM Wednesday, February 2, at St Peter and Paul's Catholic Church.
Interment in Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Doreen, fondly known to many as Dee was born November 13, 1923 to Arden Joseph and Stella Evelyn (Kaczmarek) Nelson in Ivanhoe, MN.
She attended elementary and secondary school in Ivanhoe. After High School, she attended Lincoln County Teacher Training and later, Mankato Teachers College. She taught for three years in Lincoln and Nicollet Counties.
On August 29, 1946, Dee married James Martin Hunziker; together they had 16 children. They were able to celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary before Jim's death on January 13, 2004.
Dee began a career in healthcare at St Joseph's Hospital in Mankato under the care and direction of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother as a nurses' aid. She returned to school and received a nursing degree in 1970 from Mankato Area Vocational School as an LPN. She was employed with Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital tor 31 years. During her years of service, she received many letters and notes from appreciative patients and their families, expressing their gratitude for her gentle, caring nature. After retiring she volunteered for the ISJ Hospice Program. Dee was a member of St Peter and Paul's Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters. She had many interests and hobbies over the years. First and foremost were her husband and children, Gardening, cooking, music and dancing, crossword puzzles, friends, and volunteer work in the community filled her days.
Dee Hunziker is survived by 14 Children; James M "Michael" Hunziker and wife Susie (Ario), Lakeville; Mara F Sahota and husband Sohan, Woodburv; Anne M Dickerman and husband Robert, Albert Lea; Peter M Hunziker, Onalaska, Wl; Jayne E Lonergan and husband Michael, Edina; Laura K Weness and husband B.J., Blue Earth; Paul-Arden Hunziker and partner Jack Rumpel, Minneapolis; Claire T Heihn, Shoreview; Beth E Hunziker Mishek, Minneapolis; Joseph A Hunziker, Seattle, WA; Gretchen Maher and husband Brendan, Mankato; Peggy V Maertens and husband Timothy, Mankato, Susan Hunziker and husband Jerry Smith, Chaska: and Anastasia A Hunziker, Minneapolis; Sister Carol Jean Lundgren and husband Chuck, CO; 29 beloved grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews. She is also survived by, brothers-in-law John "Jack" Hunziker, and Ralph Ireland, both of Mankato: and sister-in-law Arlene "Mike" Hunziker, Rochester.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jim; infant daughter Stephanie; stillborn son; brother Darrell Nelson; sister-in-law Mary Ireland and nephew Gary Nelson.
Funeral Services were 1:00 PM Wednesday, February 2, at St Peter and Paul's Catholic Church.
Interment in Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Inscription
BELOVED WIFE
MOTHER GRANDMA
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement