Dorothy E. Barnick

Dorothy Elaine Barnick, age 89, of Lake Crystal, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Crystal Seasons in Lake Crystal. 

 Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Lake Crystal Cemetery. Arrangements are with Lake Crystal Mortuary. 

 Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church or Cancer Research, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

 Dorothy was born December 8, 1935, to Jack W. and Margery (Klenk) Nelson in Walnut Township, Faribault County, Minnesota. She graduated from Wells High School in 1953 and Mankato State Teachers College in 1955 and in 1959 with her B.S. degree in Elementary Education. 

 Dorothy was united in marriage to Harold B. Barnick on October 7, 1961 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Dorothy taught first grade at Central School in Waseca 1955-57, second grade at Frost Elementary School 1957-60, Bricelyn Elementary 1960-61, and Central School in Fairmont 1961-62. Dorothy and family moved to Lake Crystal in 1963 and she then taught first grade at Lake Crystal Elementary from 1969 until retiring in 1998.

 Dorothy was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and was on the scholarship committee.

 Dorothy enjoyed time with her family, her teaching years, reading, traveling, fishing, time spent at the family cabin, gardening, flowers, crocheting, cooking and baking, and her cat, Mittens.

 Dorothy is survived by her children, Rick Barnick of Elmore, MN and Beth (Randy) Giefer of Richfield, MN; grandchildren, Damon Barnick of Rochester, MN and Amber Barnick of Reynolds, ND; sister, Byrene Schmidt of Lake Crystal; as well as nieces and nephews.

 Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold “Barney” on January 26, 2019; two brothers, John and Harold Nelson; brother-in-law, Don Schmidt; and extended family.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.