Dolores Maurine Osterhart

When reflecting on the life of Dolores Osterhart, words such as compassionate, devoted, and selfless are common threads that are repeatedly woven throughout her tapestry in time. However, it was her role as a faith-filled prayer warrior that will be her lasting legacy. Dolores radiated true beauty as she was a shining example of what it means to love God and others while living a life focused on serving her family, her fellow church members, or those within her community. She fully embraced the days she was given while keeping her attention focused on cherishing her family that grew to include numerous branches of loved ones who were her greatest source of pride and joy. Dolores will be deeply missed but never forgotten. The decade that is often referred to as the Roaring Twenties brought us some of the most exciting days we have seen as a nation. Radios brought the world around us within our reach, automobiles became more affordable thanks to the assembly line, and Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh took the world of flight to new heights. Amidst this vibrant time was the year 1926 that was filled with great joy for a young couple from Muskegon Heights as they were pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby girl on December 31, 1926. Dolores Maurine was the oldest of three children born to her parents, George and Eva (Pearson) Garceau, in the family home on 7th Street. She loved going on picnics and swimming with her family, and celebrating a Swedish Christmas with Lutefisk was an important part of family life each year. Raised alongside her brothers Kenneth Bud and Garth, Dolores experienced a typical upbringing. Her father worked in a local foundry while her mother was a busy homemaker. Dolores loved playing house up in their attic, which was also the perfect place for she and her friends to have a fun lunch. For a brief time the Garceau family moved to Lake Odessa where she attended elementary school. During these primary years she was promoted up a half grade. By the time Dolores was in junior high the family had returned to Muskegon Heights where she attended local schools, however, she left school after the 11th grade as she was needed in the workforce at Muskegon Paper Box Company to help supplement the family finances. Some of her closest friends during this time were Charlotte VanderStelt, Alice Richardson, and Lorraine Tierman. New and exciting changes were in store for Dolores when she met the young man of her dreams. He was a young soldier in the Army named Leon Richard Osterhart, and they met on a blind date when he was home on leave. They had a ten day courtship before becoming engaged and were then married just one week later. As a young newlywed Leon was called to duty in California. Soon afterward, 17 year old Dolores, by herself, took the train there and together they settled into a small trailer in military housing. Together Dolores and Leon welcomed four children into their hearts and home: Thomas in 1946, Leeanne in 1948, Gayle in 1951, and Kim in 1956. They eventually settled into a home on Cline Road in Fruitport Township. As a family they just enjoyed being together with some of their favorite activities being picnics at the beach and fish fries. It was of the utmost importance to Dolores that they attend church together each week. Sunday school and Bible school were also emphasized, and for many years she taught within these programs. Between she and Leon it was Dolores who was the disciplinarian, but she balanced out the times that she needed to be stern with more than enough unconditional love. She stressed living a Christian life and also modeled the importance of giving to others as she did volunteer work at the Muskegon Rescue Mission for a time. Dolores upheld their tradition of celebrating Christmas Eve with a traditional Swedish dinner, and there were also fun family game nights when they usually played Pit. Over the years Dolores was one to keep busy with the people and things she loved. When grandchildren arrived she was thrilled, and being with her grandchildren became a favorite activity. They regularly came over to spend the weekend with grandma, and these visits usually included going out to eat and for some shopping. Dolores and her entire family made some of their favorite memories together when they all went to North Shore for the day. She belonged to a craft club and also to the ladies guild at church, and Dolores treasured the friendships she had with Elaine Rose, Bernita Dill, Virginia MacKenzie, and Marge Umlor. At home she could often be found reading or doing crossword puzzles in addition to putting her various skills to use as she made homemade jams and jellies, sewed, knitted hats, mittens, slippers for the needy, and also made quilts for her grandchildren. All who knew Dolores Osterhart would agree that she was an amazing woman to know and love. She could be bashful and shy at times, yet once she was feeling comfortable she was a stranger to none and a friend to all. Dolores was selfless and giving with a quiet and gracious strength that was so inspiring. Life will never be the same without her here, but her shining legacy will be carried on by the generations who follow in her footsteps. Mrs. Dolores M. Osterhart, age 87, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2014. She was born in Muskegon Heights, MI on December 31, 1926 to George & Eva (Pearson) Garceau and married Leon Osterhart on March 7, 1944. Mrs. Osterhart had been a loving wife, mother and grandmother whose family meant the world to her. She was a founding member of Cloverville Baptist Church where she was a Deaconess and a member of the church guild. Dolores was a giving person who enjoyed serving at the Muskegon Rescue Mission. She will be greatly missed. SURVIVORS Sons, Thomas (Joyce) Osterhart of Montague, Kim (Kelly) Osterhart of Muskegon; daughters. Leeanne (Robert) Alder of Muskegon, Gayle (Timothy) Rosema of North Muskegon; ten grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon; parents and brothers, Kenneth "Bud" & Garth Garceau. SERVICE Tuesday, July 1, 2014, 11:00 AM at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon. Interment at Fruitport Cemetery. VISITATION Monday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM and Tuesday, one hour prior to the service at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: Cloverville Baptist Church Memorial Fund.