Dorothy A. Rients, 87, of rural Minonk passed away peacefully at 2:56 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 1, 2011) at Flanagan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Petri Lutheran Church, Flanagan, with the Rev. Paul Lellelid officiating. Burial will follow in South Side Cemetery, Pontiac. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at St. Petri Lutheran Church and for one hour prior to services Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Flanagan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, St. Petri’s Lutheran Church, OSF Home Care Services, Flanagan–Graymont Ambulance Service or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Calvert Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home, Flanagan, is in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy was born May 10, 1924, in rural Chenoa, the daughter of Clarence and Ethel Miller Hoerner.

She attended the rural grade school and was a graduate of Pontiac Township High School in 1942 and was active in Livingston County Rural Youth. After graduation she was employed with the Graymont Co-Op.

She married Wilbur Hassinger on Dec. 7, 1946, in Pontiac. They farmed in the Flanagan, Streator and Pontiac areas. Wilbur died April 26, 1973. She later married Orville Rients on April 6, 1975, in Flanagan.

He survives along with a son, Larry (Deanna) Hassinger, Pontiac; a daughter, Diane (Steve) Hammond, Fairbury; a stepdaughter, Karen (Mark) Bellot, Joliet; a stepson, Alan (Susan) Rients, Minonk; three grandchildren, Kimberly (Scott) Brooks, Kyle (Sarah) Hammond and Joe Hassinger; seven stepgrandchildren, Audrey, John, Allison and Jennifer Bellot and Megan, Katie and Jared Rients; a sister, Margery Drury, Pontiac; a brother, Richard Hoerner, Pontiac; and three great-grandchildren.

She also was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, a sister and a stepgranddaughter.

She had worked as an assistant librarian at Pontiac Public Library.

Dorothy was a caring devoted Christian who loved her family, friends and church.

She loved music and was the accompanist at the former Rooks Creek United Methodist Church for many years. She also loved to play the piano and organ at the nursing home.

Later she was a faithful attendant at St. Petri Lutheran Church and was active in the Women’s Circle.

She loved to cook and bake for all family gatherings and for people in need. She also loved flowers and enjoyed sending arrangements to the sick and shut-ins. She always had a friendly greeting and smile for everyone.

She will be missed by many.