Marieta Dooley

Marieta Dooley age 95 of Arlington died on Sunday, November 16, 2025 at her home under hospice care in Arlington.

Marieta Pearl (Bresee) Dooley, age 95, was born July 24, 1930, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, to Earl and Helen (Hoover) Bresee. She was the youngest of three children, joining her brother John and sister Lorraine (Bresee) Remley. 

In 1937, Marieta began school in Piedmont, SD. Her family later moved to eastern South Dakota, where she attended Klein Country School from 2nd through 8th grade. She completed her freshman year of high school in Madison before transferring to Oldham High School, where she graduated in 1948.

In 1950, Marieta met Walter Dooley, and they were married on November 30, 1951, at St. William’s Catholic Church in Ramona, SD. They made their first home on the Dooley family farm near Ramona until 1959, when they moved to their farm near Oldham. Together, they were blessed with eight children.

Marieta had a lifelong love of horses, which she inherited from her dad. She had a special love for her horse, Ginger. She enjoyed riding horse and attending horse shows.  She devoted many years to raising her family and working on the farm before later being employed at 3M, where she worked for several years. 

After retiring from 3M, Marieta cherished spending her winters in Texas with her friend Lyle, where she made many dear, lifelong friends. Later in life, Mondays and Tuesdays were spent playing cards with her close friends from Volga, sharing laughter, friendly competition and an occasional happy hour. Being with her family filled her with joy… and sometimes prompted a classic finger wag.

Marieta is survived by her children: Kathy Hines, Tracy Haaseth, Spencer Dooley, Mike Dooley (Theresa), Tammy Monnens, Gwen Madsen, and Beth Keller; twelve grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; her son Thomas; her grandson, Tim Thielsen, son in laws Dan Hines, Mark Madsen and Dale Monnens. 

Fulfilling Marieta’s wishes, her family will hold a celebration of life in the spring. She also asked that memorials be made to the Arlington Ambulance, PO Box 379, Arlington, SD 57212.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford-Osthus/Johnson-Henry Funeral Chapel of Arlington.   www.crawfordosthus.com

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