Dorothea Rivenes

Dorothea J. Rivenes, 91, of Agar, passed away Sunday, August 21, 2011 at the Oahe Haven, Gettysburg, SD.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 25, 2011 at the Agar Hall, Agar, SD, with Pastor Peter Utecht officiating. Burial followed at the Onida Cemetery.  Visitation was held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at Luce Funeral Home, Gettysburg.

Dorothea June was born April 20, 1920 at Winfred, SD, to Raymond and Hazel (Shear) Vader.  At an early age, she moved to central South Dakota, attending rural schools and graduating from Agar High School in 1937.  Dorothea attended Northern State Teacher’s College in Aberdeen.  She taught for 37 years, the last 10 years spent teaching at Agar schools.

She married Merle Lehmkuhl on July 3, 1941.  A son, Dennis, was born to this union.  Merle was killed in WW II.  Dorothea then married Marvin Rivenes on March 16, 1946.  Another son, M. Gary, was born. 

Dorothea enjoyed her time teaching, and spent some of her free time bowling and making crafts.

She is survived by her son, Dennis (Makoto) Lehmkuhl of Saskatoon, SK, Canada, and his children: Paul, Stephanie and Virginia; son, M. Gary Rivenes of Agar and his son, Wayne; brothers, Bob (Barbelle) Vader of Golden, CO and Dave (Donna) Vader of Arizona; sister, Bardena Brandt of Agar; sister-in-law, Marcella Jones of West Virginia and many nieces and nephews. 

Dorothea was preceded in death by her parents; both spouses; grandson, Nathanael Lehmkuhl; daughter-in-law, Bundy; sister, Corabelle (Bob) Blaine; brother-in-law, Vernon Brandt; and Marvin Rivenes’ 14 siblings and their spouses.  

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Dorothea’s arrangements.