Dorothy Ann (Swoboda) Herzog, 90, of Austin, Minn., passed away peacefully during the evening of Sept. 12, 2012, at Sacred Heart Care Center.

Dorothy was born to Dewey and Marie Swoboda in Jordan, Minn., on Dec. 30, 1921. She spent her early elementary school years in Waseca, Minn. Dorothy and her family then moved to Austin, where she attended sixth grade at Lincoln School. She graduated from Austin High School in 1940 and was active on the yearbook and school newspaper. After high school, Mom took a job in the office at George A. Hormel Company working as a secretary. Even to this day, she still liked to demonstrate her “shorthand” skills, and talk about what a quick typist she was. Mom worked in the Hormel office for eight years until her marriage to Robert Herzog.

Dorothy’s first marriage was to Donald Beckel in August 1944. Donald was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, and was killed in action on Feb. 19, 1945, only six months after their wedding.

She met the love of her life, Robert, while attending a dance at the Terp. Dorothy and Robert were married at Queen of Angels Catholic Church on April 23, 1948. To this union two children were born, William “Bill” and Suzanne. Dorothy and Bob were married 59 years and lived in their home for 52 years. Dorothy moved to Chauncey Apartments in 2004 and has lived at Sacred Heart Care Center since 2008. While at Sacred Heart, Dorothy had the privilege of having her granddaughter, Jacqueline, be her day shift registered nurse.

Dorothy was known for her beautiful flowers and lawn. She was dedicated to keeping her house looking the prettiest on the block, and took great pride in the fact that people would stop in front of her house and compliment her on its beauty. The same great detail to perfection was given to her husband and children. She was a wiz in the kitchen and her meals were always tasty. She loved to clean; the roar of her vacuum was known to wake the family up frequently. Even during her time at Sacred Heart, she was always picking up after people. The family enjoyed their annual fishing vacations at Hollywood Inn on Lower Whitefish Lake. Dorothy could sit in the boat fishing for hours, and would love it every time the family had to use the net to haul in a big one.

She adored animals, and could have been named the female version of St. Francis of Assisi. She took in countless stray cats and rescued many lost dogs, caring for them at her home until she could find their owners.

Dorothy will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

Survivors include her children, Bill and Barb Herzog of Weatherby Lake, Mo., and Suzanne and Jerry McCarthy of Austin; grandchildren, Sam and Jessica Herzog, Jake and Erica Herzog, of Kansas, Edward Mjoen and Jacqueline and Joe Sucha of Austin; great-grandchildren, Mason and Zander Herzog, Macy Herzog of Kansas, Ethan Knox and Skye Anderley of Austin; brother in-law and sisters-in-law, Dick and Kathleen Herzog, Champlin, Minn., Nina Swoboda, Austin, and JoAnn Anderson, Florida.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob in 2007; brother, Donald Swoboda; brothers-in-law, Donald Herzog, Tom Anderson, and Phil Hope; sisters-in-law, Mary Hope and Donna Herzog; many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at Sacred Heart Care Center with Father Jim Steffes officiating. Friends may call from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Mayer Funeral Home and also one hour before the service at the care center on Saturday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.