Dorlene Marie Kenney

Dorlene Kenney, 80, passed away on the morning of April 18, 2022 at Barnes Care Assisted living in Esko, MN. after a lengthy illness with Alzheimer’s. She was surrounded by her family. Dorlene was born on September 19, 1941 in Duluth, MN., to Chester and Gunhild Carlstrom.

She attended business school at Duluth Business University and learned the skills of short hand and many others, which propelled her into the opportunities that led to her work at Family Services, Inc. in Duluth that then became what we know today as Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. She received a Certificate of award by the NFCC-Region 6, for excellence in leadership, and outstanding support staff in 1991. She received a (Employee Recognition Award) in appreciation for service to her clients in 1992. She retired from Lutheran Social Services and always talked about the joy she had working there and the friendships she developed and had going throughout the years.

She began a second part time career by working at the Black Bear Casino in Cloquet, MN. Where is worked for 10 years. She did love her work there and had a wonderland time with the interaction with the staff and folks that she would engage. She did get a Perfect Attendance award for the year 2007 for Guest Services and also was Employee of the Month of Guest Services in February 2008.

Dorlene loved traveling, she took her grand-daughters to Disney World and Mount Rushmore. She traveled with her children to Florida, California, to visit family and friends. She traveled to visit her sisters (Bonnie) in Washington State and (Karen) in Massachusetts.

She loved her camping trips to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to visit her husband Mike’s family over the years, by vehicle and motorcycle (Harley Davidson).

She loved reading, she read many books and had a chance to met Garrison Keillor at the Big Top, in Bayfield, WI. who signed a copy of her book-Homegrown Democrat. Dorlene and her four kids Tammy, Toni, Tommy, Todd also saw Garrison and Trampled with Turtles when they performed at the Duluth Auditorium. Fun times!

She was an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan and went to many games throughout the years with most everyone in the family. She has an Inscription (Dorlene (Carlstrom) Kenney) on the Twins Tradition Wall Panel 4-GENERATIONS. So, if you’re ever at a TWINS game and have some time, go say hello. She would be by the Tom Kelly statue.

She shared a beautiful small log home in the Cloquet, MN. area with her late husband Mike, where she created many memories for family and friends over there 30 years of marriage. She enjoyed cooking and having Easter and Christmas dinners, where she walked all her doggies over the years. There last companion and love was “COOPER” a large New-Found land breed. He loved snow and van rides, which was bought just for him because he was that big.

Dorlene and Mike also had a beautiful camper site #57 at Bent Trout Lake in Mahtowa, MN. about 10 miles south of Cloquet where family could visit, swim, visit by the campfires, enjoy fireworks on the 4th of July. Birthdays and Anniversary as well. The paddleboat was also a fun time.

Dorlene is proceeded in death by her first husband Thomas Erickson Sr; second husband Michael Kenney. Parents Chester and Gunhild Carlstom. Siblings Brother Carl Carlstrom, Sister’s Katherine (Thomas) Olson and Bonnie (Harry) Boyd. Auntie Geneva Carlstrom. Daughter Toni (Daniel) Barrett. Great Grandson Beauden Shaw.

Dorlene is survived by her Sibling Sister Karen (Delmar) Haskins of Ashfield, Mass. Cheryl (Bob) Follis of Washburn, WI.. Her Children Tammy (Michael) Hanzlik, Thomas Erickson Jr., and Todd (Jennifer) Erickson, Duluth, MN. Her Grand-children Brandon Erickson, Brooke (Kodey) Shaw, Jared Barrett, Brittany (Chris) Oestreich, Shaun Erickson, Matt Kalm. Her Great Grandchildren Brandon and Courtney Erickson, Luca and Sadie Oestreich, Breccen and Willow Shaw. She will leave behind countless close Cousins, nieces and nephews and friends which included her childhood friends Audrey, Patti and Joan from Indiana.

Thank you, Cousin Darrell for a Copy of your “Campfires in the Basement,” which was read to Dorlene a few times and had a copy in her room upon getting her Sainthood. It was an honor to read it and discuss the rich history of the family.

The family would also like to thank the pastoral care visits that mom had in her final days: Dennis from Rivers Edge Church in Carlton, Jerome from Trinity Lutheran Church from Duluth, and Todd from St. Croix Hospice. Again, thank you to Trinity Lutheran Staff for always keeping Dorlene in your thoughts and always mailing her son those weekly church service bulletin’s and sermons that he read to her outside her window during those COVID times, when all we could do were those cherished window visits.

The family would like to thank the Staff at Barnes Care, the night Staff at Barnes Care, the St. Croix Hospice folks that all cared for our mother Dorlene over that last couple of years, and especially mom’s finally days and nights. You’re all a blessing to your craft and skill in the healthcare field.

 Mother, Friend, Great-Grandmother, Sister, Cousin, Co-Worker, Sports fan- you will be missed.

A service will be held: Thursday on the 5th of May, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church (1108 East 8th Street) at 11:00 AM, with a one hour visitation prior starting at 10:00 AM. Pastor Shivon Miller will give the services.

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