Dolores R. Sowden, 92, Medford

Dolores R. Sowden, 92, passed away Jan. 15, 2017 at the Owatonna Hospital in Owatonna, Minn.  She had been a resident at Medford Senior Care Center in Medford, Minn., since April, 2015.
Dolores was born in Webster, South Dakota to Leo and Cecelia Boik. She attended school in West Concord, Minn., and graduated in 1943. After graduation, she attended a business school in Minneapolis. She married Leonard Sowden in April, 1946. They lived on a farm north of West Concord before moving to Owatonna in 1955. After moving to Owatonna, she worked at Federated Mutual for a short time before starting work as a deputy county auditor in 1956 for Steele County. She retired in 1986. After retirement, she worked as a volunteer for the Owatonna Hospital. She was also a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.  
Dolores is survived by her daughters, Sharon (John) Polifka of Mapleton, Iowa, and Mary (Rusty) Fee of Winchester, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Chad (Adina) Glende of Minot, South Dakota and Elisa Glende of Murfreesoro, Tenn.; daughter-in-law, Candida Sowden of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.  
She was preceded in death by her husband; a brother, Leonard; and her son, Larry.
Dolores will be remembered as a strong, independent, and caring person.  She often cared more about the welfare of her family and friends than she did about herself.  She enjoyed visiting with others, having a cookie with her coffee or tea, following the news (especially the weather), and completing word searches.  We will all miss her.  
Funeral Mass was held Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Owatonna with The Reverend Kevin Connolly officiating.