Sister Dorothy Anne (Ernster) Mullenbach, O.L.T., 78, of Adams, Minnesota, passed away on Dec. 21, 2017, in Rochester, Minnesota.

Dorothy was born in Caledonia, Minnesota to Otto and Mary (Schwartzhoff) Ernster on July 29, 1939. She graduated from Loretto High School in Caledonia.

She was married to Charles Mullenbach (deceased) on Oct. 17, 1959, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Caledonia. Dorothy went on to earn a degree at the School of Cosmetology in Austin, Minnesota. She owned and operated “Dorothy’s Beauty Salon” in Adams for over 35 years and retired in 2015.

Dorothy had a passion for the Catholic Faith and after one year as a novitiate, she professed her vows in April of 2012, and became Sister Dorothy Mullenbach in the Order of Les Thereseans (O.L.T.) Her deep faith in God and the love she had for her family and friends was evident in her everyday life.

Sr. Dorothy is survived by her sister Barbara (Ernster) and B. Joseph Fazendin, of Stanley, Wisconsin; brother James and Connie Ernster, of Louisville, Kentucky; son Lyle and Karla Mullenbach; daughter Jennifer and Shane Ellefson of Adams; seven grandchildren: Adam Mullenbach; Hannah, Hallie, Hogan, and Henry Bergene; Tanner and Anna Ellefson.

Sister Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Mary; her sister Verlie, and brother-in law, Kenny Morris.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Swaminatha Pothireddy officiating. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery. There will be a 4 p.m. rosary on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at the Adams Funeral Home where friends may call from 4-8 p.m. There will also be a visitation on Thursday at the church for one hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams, for masses.

On Dec. 28, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery.