Delores "Dory" Yennie

With love, gratitude, and cherished memories, we celebrate the life of Delores "Dory" Yennie, whose faith, love, and devotion to family touched generations.  Dory peacefully passed away at the Stewartville Care Center on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.               

Delores Mary Henry was born at home in High Forest Twsp, MN on May 2, 1937, to Ronald and Mary Ellen(Shanahan)  Henry.  Known simply as Dory to family and friends—and affectionately as "Grandma Dory" to generations of neighborhood children and loved ones her life was defined by her deep faith, resilient spirit, and steadfast devotion to the people she loved most. She attended country school and Stewartville schools, graduating from Stewartville HS in 1955. She was employed at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN where she met Delmar Yennie.

On May 4, 1957, Dory married Delmar "Dick" Yennie, her lifelong partner, greatest companion, and the love of her life. Together they built a beautiful life over more than 69 years of marriage, facing every joy and every hardship side by side. Together, Dory and Dick were blessed with 8 children. Though one was called home after only a few hours, the love for her remained. Those 7  children went on to bless Dory with 18 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. She was the heart of a family whose roots she helped plant and whose branches continue to grow.

Dory created a home built on faith, firmness, fairness, and joy. She was a lifelong member of St. Bernards Catholic Church in Stewartville where she volunteered with it’s ladies activities and taught faith formation classes.  Life was structured and dependable. Supper was on the table promptly at 5:30 p.m. each evening, and their children were taught the importance of faith, hard work, respect, and family.  In 1967, tragedy struck when their family home was destroyed by fire. Although everything they had built was lost, no lives were taken. Together, Dory and Dick met that challenge with the same determination that defined their marriage, rebuilding not only their home but the life they had worked so hard to create. Dick was a longtime employee at IBM until his retirement.

While her family was always her greatest joy, Dory also embraced life's adventures. She loved riding motorcycles with Dick, making treasured trips to Sturgis and spending many winters together in California, creating memories with lifelong friends. A devoted member of her community, Dory was dedicated countless hours to organizing High Forest's Old Settlers Day, helping create a celebration that brought family, friends, neighbors, and generations of the community together year after year.

Whether she was planning community events or competing on the bowling lanes, Dory poured her heart into everything she did. An avid bowler and true bowling enthusiast, she cherished the friendships and memories the sport brought throughout her life. Each Christmas, her kitchen filled with the aroma of cookies and other sweets and  all of her teddy bear collection decorated the house; cherished traditions for family and friends alike.               

To those who knew her, Dory was a quiet source of wisdom. She offered thoughtful, sage advice without judgment, never sought the spotlight, and preferred to celebrate the accomplishments of others rather than herself. Few people knew that Dory quietly wrote poetry, a reflection of the thoughtful heart she rarely put on display.

Dory's greatest legacy is the family she so lovingly nurtured. She is remembered by her devoted husband of more than 69 years, Delmar "Dick" Yennie; her daughters; twins – Jean Yennie and  Jo (Jim) Halvorson, and Sue (Bruce) Bauman; her sons, , Mike (Kelly) Yennie, Rich Yennie and Tom (Kim) Yennie; 18 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren;  her brother - Ron (Jan) Henry; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were forever touched by her love, wisdom, and unwavering faith. Dory was welcomed  home by Jesus and reunited with those who went before her; her beloved daughters, Mary and Cheryl, her parents, Ronald and Mary Ellen Henry,  her sisters Joanne Shore and Charlyne Lennand her brother, Donald Henry.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday(August 13, 2026) at St. Bernards Catholic Church with Fr. Kevin Connolly officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. A time of visitation for family and friends will take place from 5 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday(August 12, 2026) at St. Bernards Church and from 9:30 AM until time of service at the church on Thursday morning. Arrangemennts are with Griffin-Gray FH in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Dory are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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