LuAnn Kost-Dotzenrod

Vertin-Munson Funeral Home

1-701-642-4000

LuAnn Kay (Kost) Dotzenrod, 51, Wyndmere , ND , died Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at her residence with all of her family present. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 27 at Wyndmere Lutheran Church with Rev. Jack Carlson officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service at Wyndmere Lutheran Church; also, visitation Friday one hour prior to time of service at the church. Interment will be held at Elk Creek Cemetery , rural Wyndmere.

LuAnn Kay (Kost) Dotzenrod was born August 17, 1956, to Lester and Tillie (Holzer) Kost in Mobridge, SD. LuAnn grew up in Herreid , SD , the third of five children. She graduated from Herreid High School in 1974. During her senior year she was chosen to represent the Herreid Jaycees as their Snow Queen. After high school she attended National College of Business in Rapid City , SD. In April of 1975 she married Wade Birnbaum and moved to Hankinson , ND where she received her Associate Degree in Business Administration from North Dakota State School of Science in the fall of 1976.

While living in Hankinson she worked at the Hankinson Flower and Variety Store; she managed a women’s clothing store “Her Place”. After that closed she began working as an aide for the Southeast District. Her last employment in Hankinson was at St. Gerard’s Hospital where she worked as an accountant. She moved to Fargo-Moorhead in 1985 where she attended Moorhead State University . She was united in marriage to Bill Dotzenrod on January 11, 1986, from this union three beautiful children were born. LuAnn was a stay at home mom until the children were all in school. She worked as an elementary aide at Wyndmere Public School , which she truly enjoyed and loved working with the people especially the children. She also dedicated her time to her church, Wyndmere Lutheran Church , which she joined when she married Bill in 1986. She taught Sunday school and was a Superintendent of the Sunday school as well as serving on the altar committee, funeral committee, and vacation Bible school for Wyndmere Lutheran.

In April of 1999 LuAnn was diagnosed with breast cancer; underwent a mastectomy followed by chemo, radiation, and took tomoxifin for five years, in which time she was diagnosed as cancer-free. In April of 2005 she had a reoccurrence and underwent major surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester , MN . She has been fighting the battle ever since.

LuAnn is survived by her husband of 22 years, Bill “Ed” Dotzenrod, Wyndmere; her three adoring children, Sarah Jo, attending Moorhead State University, Neil William attending college at North Dakota State University, and Jennifer Lynn who will be a senior at Wyndmere; her mother Tillie Kost of Herreid; two sisters, Nancy (Roger) Elliott of West Fargo, ND, Lori (Kirk) Perman of Bismarck, ND; her brother Gary (Diane) Kost of Aberdeen, SD; her wonderful extended family of Dotzenrod in-laws, numerous nieces and nephews, two very special cousins, Nancy (Ochsner) DeVries and Deb (Ochsner) Senftner of Rapid City, SD; and many friends including Janelle Meslow, Denise Vosberg and Rosie Tiegs.

LuAnn was preceded in death by her father Lester Kost who lost his battle with cancer in 2004. They had both been diagnosed in April of 1999 and often accompanied each other to their treatments; and her brother Neil who was killed in a car accident in 1976.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Gerald Gross and the Roger Maris Cancer Center, Sue, Ruby, Nels, and the infusion nurses; Hospice of the Red River Valley; and others who cared for LuAnn during her long battle with breast cancer. A special thank you to Dr. Gross for being the vessel through which many miracles in Lu’s courageous 9 year battle were won, especially these last 10 months. This “extra” time has been greatly appreciated and will always be remembered as will LuAnn Kay Dotzenrod.

Arrangements are entrusted in the care of Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

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