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   In loving memory of Dorothy Virginia Carpenter Baird, age 104, born in Webster, South Dakota to Ella Pauline (Schmidt) and Earl Spencer Carpenter, Sept. 4, 1919. 

   At a young age, she moved with her family to Minnesota. Her mother and siblings rode in a car as her father and brother, Bud, pulled a horse drawn wagon containing all of their belongings while herding the cattle and horses all the way from South Dakota to Backus, Minnesota. They later relocated to a farm just outside Longville.

   Dorothy married Cecil Carpenter on Nov. 24, 1937 and together they raised their four children. Dorothy and Cecil lived most of their lives in Longville where they had various hobs and businesses including the old Hotel on main street and the Cottage Cafe where Dorothy was famous for her 50 cent noon specials, 15 cent slice of homemade pies and nickel donuts. Even with owning a business, Dorothy was very involved in her children’s school and club activities, her church and Eastern Star where she became Grand Matron.

   After Cecil passed away, she married Chuck Baird. They made their home in Longville and traveled to Florida in the winter. In retirement, Dorothy enjoyed volunteering in Longville, playing cards with friends and having sleepovers with her granddaughters who played cards ‘till 2 a.m. She also enjoyed playing cribbage at the YAH club. Dorothy loved being outdoors raking her yard and digging in her flower beds. Nature definitely nurtured her soul. Dorothy spent the last year living with her daughter, Sue, in Florida. Sue kept her very active, going places and working in the yard which she loved.

   Throughout her long and fulfilling journey, Dorothy was a devoted mother of four children and their spouses (Calvin and Paula, Ted and Gail, Jerry and Janet and Sue and Fred), grandmother to eleven, great-grandmother to 24, and great-great-grandmother to 13. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and special friends. Her legacy of love and wisdom will continue to resonate through the generations she touched.

   Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands (Cecil and Chuck), two sons (Calvin and Ted), one granddaughter (Brenda), son in law (Fred), three sisters: Marion Edwards (Roland), Helen Carpenter (Donna), Harold Carpenter (Helen), and James Carpenter (Aurla).

   Her presence will be deeply missed but her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

   In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Longville Community Church or the charity of your choice.

   A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held at the Longville Community Church on June 22 at 11 a.m. with a picnic to follow at the Stuart Memorial Park Pavilion where friends and family can gather and share stories and memories of Dorothy.

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