Dorothy Udell

Although her life was filled with so many things, there was no greater joy in Dorothy Udells life than family that grew to include numerous branches. She was so proud of the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren she shared with the love of her life. Life was not always easy for Dorothy, but she was a resilient woman who continued to embrace the many days she was given throughout her life that spanned nearly a century. A blessing in the life of those around her, she will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. If we could turn back the hands of time to the early 20th century, they would reveal an America that is quite different from the America we know today. There were struggles with unsafe working conditions and a lack of child labor laws while 1917 marked our nations entrance into the perils of WWI. This same year was a year to remember for one young couple from Iowa City, Iowa, as they were pleased to announce the birth of a healthy baby girl on October 27th. Baby Dorothy Margaret was one of three girls born to her parents, Robert and Emmaline (Musser) Sweet. When she was three years old Dorothy moved with her Grandfather Musser, her mother, and her sisters, Edith and Esther, to Mancelona, Michigan. They experienced a subsistence and farming lifestyle, and they also lived close to their uncle and many cousins after the death of Dorothys grandfather. A bit later, Dorothys mother remarried a wonderful man named Jack VanImmins, and they added two more girls to the family: Mary and Frances. In many ways Dorothy experienced an upbringing that was fairly typical for the youth of her generation. She loved playing with her four sisters and as a young teenager she worked as a nanny and on a farm. Dorothy also attended local school including Mancelona High School. Not long after graduating from high school Dorothy married the young man who had stolen her heart on January 22, 1938. His name was Clifford Udell, and they had met while playing cards. Their lives as newlyweds were far from easy as these were the days of the Great Depression when jobs were scarce and the unemployment rate soared above 25 percent. Clifford worked in the Upper Peninsula through the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) for a time and later began working on a huge dairy farm. They lived in company housing and had very little money, but their lives were greatly enriched with the births of their two daughters, Lavisa and Dorothy. The young family later moved to Muskegon where Clifford secured employment at the Button Works. When WWII arrived on our doorstep in 1941 with the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had no choice but to declare war on Japan the very next day. Clifford soon joined the ranks of thousands of young servicemen and woman who were called to defend our nations freedoms. Dorothy, who was eight months pregnant at the time, traveled for three days and nights on a train with her two young daughters to be with Clifford at Camp Fannin in Tyler, Texas. Shortly after they arrived, their daughter, Sharon, was born. After Clifford was discharged, their family of five moved back to Muskegon where their family was completed with the birth of Kathy. As a mother Dorothy was strict when needed out of her deep love for her girls. Their well-being was always of the utmost importance to Dorothy. The Udell family enjoyed living in Muskegon and took fun-filled camping trips every summer. Dorothy also took care of her mother until her mothers death at the age of 46. In addition to caring for her girls, there were so many other things that enriched Dorothys life. She was the best at fishing, and her skills in the kitchen were unmatched. Dorothy loved both cooking and baking, and she was famous for her pies and cookies. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, ceramics, and shopping, and she could find deals like no other. Dorothy had a special place in her heart for animals and named every dog she ever had Peanut. After her children were grown and on their own she went to work at B Industry Finishing. Dorothy worked there as a painter for ten years before retiring. She was also a member of McGraft Memorial Congregational Church for many years. After they retired Dorothy and Clifford enjoyed spending the winter months in both Florida and Arizona. There was nothing of greater importance to Dorothy than her family. She was delighted when they could all be together, which always made the holidays such a special time. Dorothy was deeply devastated with the death of her beloved Clifford in 2005 as well as with the deaths of her daughter, Kathryn, one grandson, and one great-grandson. Through the life she lived each day, Dorothy Udell brought so much love to those around her. She was hardworking and diligent, yet she also took the time to truly live in each moment. Dorothy viewed her family as a priceless treasure and loved nothing more than being surrounded by her loved ones. The memories she leaves behind will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of those she leaves behind. Dorothy Margaret Udell died Friday, January 20, 2012. Dorothys family includes her daughters, Lavisa (Leon) McPherson, Dorothy Pendleton, and Sharon (Terry) VanDonkelaar; 1 son-in-law, Del TenBrock; 12 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Esther Bishop; 2 sisters-in-law, Helen Cummins & Eunice (Herman) VanHorn; and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clifford; daughter, Kathryn TenBrock; one grandson; one great-grandson; 1 great great granddaughter and three sisters, Edith, Mary, and Francis. Services will be held on Monday, January 23, 2012, 11:00 a.m. at McGraft Memorial Congregational Church with Rev. Brian Seeley officiating. Interment at Fairview Cemetery. Visit with Dorothys family on Monday, 1 hour prior to the service at McGraft Memorial Congregational Church. Memorials may be made to Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.