Dorothy C. Halajian

Dorothy C. (Dot) Halajian passed away on Monday, March 21st at her home at Edgewood Senior Living.  Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022, at Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown.  Father Richard Fox will officiate.   Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Thursday, March 24, 2022, from 4-7 p.m.   

Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown.  Honorary pallbearers will be her friends from Maple Place and Edgewood Senior Living.  Active pallbearers will be her grandsons: Steven Halajian, Michael Halajian, Dominic Halajian, Leon Halajian, Donovan Halajian, and Devon Halajian.

Dorothy Cecelia Pribyl was born on a farm by Wolsey, SD, on August 1, 1923, to Frank and Christina (Musel) Pribyl.  Her father passed away when she was 9 and her family moved to Huron, SD.

She attended school in Huron and graduated from Huron High School.  She met the love of her life while attending Huron High School and married her high school sweetheart, Mathew Halajian on December 31, 1940, in Huron, SD.  They lived in Willow Lake while Matt worked for the Great Northern Railway.  He then transferred to Watertown where he continued to work for the railroad and where they made their home and raised 5 children.  They owned and operated Halajian’s Garden’s and Greenhouse for 34 years in southwest Watertown.

She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Catholic Daughters of America, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Widows Club, Senior Citizens, Craft Club, RSVP & Hospital Auxiliary, and the BNSF Railway Veteran’s Association.  She enjoyed doing volunteer work at the Caring House and the Hospital Gift Shop, and playing pinochle at the Senior Center.  She loved her flowers and enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels eating and playing outside her window.  She loved to cook and bake, enjoyed entertaining, and always had to try out a new recipe.  She moved to 200 Maple Place and made many friends.  They always decorated their doors and walkers for every holiday, and she loved being a part of the “Third floor 5:00 Chat Group”.  She moved to Edgewood Senior Living when she required more care and loved participating in their Friday dress up theme day, pinochle, and dice.  The staff of both places loved and cared for her and made her feel at home.  She looked forward to family and friends phone calls, and visits and get togethers for her birthday and holidays.  She had a personality that drew people to her and was known for her quick wit, her beautiful smile and she always had a twinkle in her eye.  She was also known for her “Stink Eye” if you did something she didn’t agree with.

She is survived by 3 sons: Dean (Delores) Halajian, of Watertown, James (Nancy) Halajian, of Mitchell, and Dennis (Darlene) Halajian, of Big Stone City: 2 daughters: Diane (Richard) Knutson, of Summit, and Donna (Mark) DePerte, of Black Hawk, SD.  She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 27 ½ great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved companion and grand dog, Jael.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Matt in 2002, her parents, 3 brothers: Frank, Richard, and Charles; and 2 sisters: Mabel and Helen.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel            www.crawfordosthus.com

Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant     

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