
Dorothy Kolling Aakhus Mustermann, 86, passed peacefully on May 1, 2018 surrounded by her loving family members in presence and in spirit. Her family shared thoughts, prayers, songs, and memories to let her know that Dorothy was loved to the fullest.
Dorothy Ann Kolling was born October 6, 1931 in Gully, Minnesota to Christine and Ernest Kolling, who were a farming family. She traded in her farm life to go to college where she met the charming Miles Aakhus. They were soon married and they quickly started their family. Dorothy started out as a teacher but, instead became a stay at home mom. She worked harder, faster and with greater accomplishment to keep up with her five children and husband. Together, they started the Ely Echo newspaper which still exists today. She and Miles retired to the desert near Alamogordo, New Mexico where they enjoyed hosting their children and grandchildren. When Miles suddenly passed in 1995, Dorothy decided her new goal was to travel around to visit her many friends and family. It was on one of those trips to visit her daughter, Karleen, that she met Jack. Dottie (as he affectionately called her) and Jack Mustermann were married and loved 10 wonderful years together in Lander, Wyoming. With the passing of her beloved Jack, Dorothy spent her last years spending time with each of her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dorothy loved a good cup of coffee and a cookie, enjoyed visiting with friends, she played Bridge with the best of them, in her younger years she was an accomplished painter, and more than anything she had a way with children and babies. She made friends too numerous to mention and loved each one just as much as they loved her.
Dorothy Mustermann was preceded in death by her parents Christine and Ernest Kolling, brothers Omer, Ruben and Calvin; sister-in-law Ardis, son Todd Aakhus and husbands Miles Aakhus and Jack Mustermann. She is survived by daughters Doreen, Karleen (Chris), Janeen, Roxeen (James), daughter-in-law Virginia (Todd), sisters-in-law Olive and Clarice; grandchildren Natalie and Aaron; Carla, Kristy, Jaimie, Andrew and Amanda; Lizzie, Jay and Millie; RaineBo and Teke; Katie and Alissa, great grandchildren Madison and Emma; Audrey, Ashley, Alex and Amelia; Dylan, Brody, and Luke; Dylan and Grayson; Ben Jr. and Todd; Braydee, Brennen and Blake, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the United Methodist Church in Lander, Wyoming on June 27, 2018.