Dorothy Despelder

Obituary Dorothy DeSpelder 26 November 1918 - 15 March 2011

Few live to age 92 with a marriage lasting sixty nine years. Dorothy DeSpelder died suddenly following emergency surgery at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Her husband Bruce Erwin DeSpelder Sr., also hospitalized for acute bronchitis, was able to be with her before and after she died. Unable to recover from major surgery, Dorothy died of organ failure in the early hours of the 15th of March. Along with Bruce Sr., Dorothy was supported in her dying by caregivers Amber Carr and Beth Mason along with longtime family friend and neighbor Dee Dee Schultz. Immediate reactions from the community and extended family reminisced about her grace, charm, wondrous smile, and giving nature. Dorothy lived her life with determination, especially in her later years. Dorothy Jane Roediger was born on the 26th of November 1918 to William Leonard Roediger and Edith Edna Parnell in Detroit.. She graduated from Central High School and what later became Wayne State University with a degree in elementary education. On March 9th in 1942 she married Bruce DeSpelder before he entered the Navy during WWII. After tours of duty in charge of a tanker gun crew, Lieutenant DeSpelder served as a blimp pilot protecting the West Coast. Dorothy and Bruce lived in Corona del Mar while stationed in Southern California where their first child, Lynne Ann, was born in 1944. By 1949 they had returned to Detroit where their second child, Bruce Erwin DeSpelder, Jr., was born. Dorothy returned to teaching after her children were in school. She taught first grade in several schools, ending her career at Krolik elementary, where she taught from 1963 until her retirement in 1982. Dorothy's love of teaching extended to her children and grandchildren. Along with Bruce she emphasized the value of education and provided many opportunities for learning. Regular trips across the country along with visits to Europe were a big part of Dorothy's family life. During retirement she and Bruce traveled extensively with good friends and family to Africa, Alaska, New Zealand, Japan, and China. Dorothy's world was large. Skiing and playing golf well into her early 80s, Dorothy enjoyed the "game of life." Above all, she valued helping others. We remember her for all that she gave to her family, community, and church both in Detroit and later when they made Bellaire their permanent home. Her talents for crafts changed over the years from sewing exquisite doll clothes and spectacular formal dresses to knitting, making candles, and Christmas decorations. She later turned to decoupage and finally stained glass creations. Extraordinary stained glass lighting fixtures were the culmination of her art work. A Michigan girl at heart, her last days were spent on an outing to Sam's club and rooting for the Red Wings. Dorothy is survived by her husband Bruce of Bellaire; her daughter Lynne Ann DeSpelder and son-in-law Albert Lee Strickland of Capitola, California; her son Bruce DeSpelder of Washington, Pennsylvania; and her grandchildren Matt Strickland and his wife Kelley of Caldwell, Texas, Heather Strickland Krupens and her husband, Doug of Fresno, California, Spencer DeSpelder of Tempe, Arizona, and Danielle DeSpelder of Dearborn.. She also leaves six great-grandchildren, Kayla Strickland, Joselyn and Gia Krupens, and Madeline, Kassidy, and Baron Strickland. She is also survived by cousins Joyce and Lyman Wine of Cincinnati, Ohio; Ron and Ruth Woods of Ashville, North Carolina; and Elisabeth Rindskopf Parker and her husband Bob of Sacramento, California. Many lifelong friends include Mary and Don Bogler of Harrison Township; Joann and Marne Homberg of Torch Lake. and Jane Karber of Lake Bellaire. Dorothy outlived her daughter-in-law Coleen, who died in 2001 after a lengthy battle with cancer; her neighbor Tony Schultz (2009); and her computer guru Bob Karber (2010.) Our family extends gratitude to the caregivers who assisted Dorothy in maintaining her independent living. Amber Carr of Kalkaska heads a team that includes Beth Mason, Paula Davila, and Marvelle DiNofrio of Bellaire; Paul Tate and Sue Luton of Mancelona; and Sue Wagner of Central Lake. Services for Dorothy will begin with a visitation from 6-8 pm on April 8th at Mortensons Family Chapel, 106 Birch Street in Bellaire. Her funeral will take place at 1 pm on the 9th at Church in the Hills, 6401 Shanty Creek Road with Duane Ferris conducting the service. Her body will be cremated and private burial will be in the DeSpelder plot at Eldred Cemetery alongside Coleen. Dorothy was a voracious reader, especially of mysteries and thrillers. Contributions can be made to the Bellaire Library in her name (post office box 477, Bellaire, Michigan 49615.) Books purchased with donations will carry a bookplate in memory of Dorothy and include the donor's name. Contributions can also be made to the Atrim County Commission on Aging (COA) (post office box 614, Bellaire, Michigan 49615). COA's services assisted Dorothy in continuing to live with her husband in their home until the time of her death. Dorothy DeSpelder lived her life thinking of others. In her memory, please take the time to do so yourself.