Dorothy Syhre, 94, Watertown, died Dec. 1, 2025, at her home.
Funeral service is Dec. 8, 11 a.m. at Fiksdal Funeral Service, Webster with Pastor Dan Overbo officiating. Burial will be at the Webster Cemetery.
Visitation was Dec. 7, 2-4 p.m. beginning with prayer service at 2 officiated by Pastor Mike DeKraai, at the funeral home.
Dorothy Elaine (Hanson) Syhre was born May 30, 1931, in Eugene, OR to Oscar and Agnes (Valsvig) Hanson. She was baptized at Springfield Lutheran Church, Springfield, OR and confirmed at Butler Lutheran Church, Butler. In 1937, they moved to the Webster area where she attended country school and graduated from Webster High School in 1949. She continued her education at South Dakota State University for a year.
She married Maynard Syhre Dec. 11 in Butler. They lived near Pierpont. In 1950, they moved to a farm south of Webster and in 1959, purchased a farm northwest of Roslyn. She was a partner in the farming operation.
In 1973, they retired from farming and moved into Webster. She worked for area businesses including Hahler Auto, Red Owl, Elevator Store and the Webster hospital as a bookkeeper. They spent winters in Arizona beginning in 1982, where she worked at a local newspaper and at a resort. In 1992, they moved to Watertown. After Maynard’s passing in 2013, she continued to live independently in Watertown.
She was a member of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Watertown and active in WELCA. Over the years, she served as a 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher, was a member of Sons of Norway and a founding member of Business and Professional Women (BPW). She volunteered at Watertown Senior Center. She created hundreds of quilts for her family and enjoyed gardening, sewing and an array of crafts.
Survivors include her children, DeWayne and La-Deen Syhre, Bowdle; Danny and Gretchen Syhre, Brookings; Deanne and Keith Gould, Clear Lake; seven grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, six brothers, two sisters and one great-grandson.