Dorothy Ann Luskey

Dorothy Ann Needham Luskey is on the road again, leaving us on February 10th, 2025, from complications of a stroke suffered during a heart procedure in August of 2023.  She slipped away quietly, with dignity and grace, at home with loved ones at her side.

Dorothy was a woman of remarkable strength, wit, and intelligence, renowned for her opinionated stance on most any topic and the ability to locate a soapbox in any situation that would always support her weight and views.  Dorothy loved to argue and did not necessarily need a willing participant.   “Stand up, keep fighting” was a personal mantra for her, she was a staunch DFL liberal, but did admit to voting for Sen. Dave Durenberger once.  She singlehandedly took credit for the demise of the department stores Donaldsons and Carson Pirie Scott after they denied her a credit card solely in her name, she achieved this goal from Dayton’s department store, creating a fruitful relationship that lasted for over 40 years.

Dorothy was born in St. Paul MN and grew up on De Soto Street on the lower eastside, attending Johnson High School.  She loved that city and would share stories about taking the streetcar out to the state fair and going to the downtown library to check out Betsy Tacy books, her love of reading and libraries began at an early age and continued throughout her life. In 1960 Dorothy met John Luskey at Spitz Saloon in Blakeley MN. They both said it was love at first sight.  The city girl and the country boy were married in 1965 at St. Mary’s church in St. Paul MN and settled in Le Sueur in 1967 where they raised their family while creating a community that eventually became family.

Proud and loud in her convictions, Dorothy was quiet in her deeply defined personal faith and many tireless acts of service including the years of volunteering throughout her life. The Service Club, CADA House, DFL party, Meals on Wheels, St. Annes school, Treasures in Town, to name a few.  Dorothy cared for her beloved John for 25 years, a selfless, thankless job that reinforced their bond and allowed John to remain in the home they built together.  Dorothy had a strong work ethic that she instilled in her daughters often with complete and utter disregard for child labor laws.

Dorothy loathed roundabouts, Mother’s Day, Claymation, country music, and Star Wars, not necessarily in that order but with equal passion.  She loved a Big Mac, New York Times Crossword puzzles, shopping, gardening, the Vikings and Twins, the state fair, Sui Yeps Chow Mein on Payne Ave, Camelot, an Ice-cold beer in a small glass, and new adventures with friends and family.  Dorothy welcomed all who darkened her doorway, was always curious and continued a lifelong desire to learn and encounter new experiences.

Left to honor her spirit are her four daughters that stole her youth and beauty, Brigid, Maude, Nora, and Molly.  Sons in love, Chuck, Darren, and Vinny.  Brothers and sisters in love, Dennis and Kitty, Mike and Carole Needham. Many In- Laws, cousins, nieces, nephews too numerous to count as one would expect from a large Irish Polish Catholic clan.

Family, friends and anyone whose life Dorothy has touched are invited to a gathering/wake at the Dorothy and John Luskey home located at 219 Davis Street, Le Sueur MN from 4-7 pm on Friday April 4th, 2025.  Rosary will commence at 6:45 PM, visitation will continue two hours prior to the service at the church of St. Anne’s

A Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Anne’s Church, Le Sueur MN, Saturday April 5th at 2pm with a luncheon to follow immediately after the service at The Bar in Le Sueur MN.

A private burial will take place at a later date, and in lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Well behaved women, rarely make history.