Dorothy M. Wierengo

Although Dorothy Wierengo valued many things throughout her life, none were more important than creating close relationships with the family she treasured so deeply. She was a loving wife, caring mother and proud grandmother and great grandmother who laced her days with sacrifice and devotion. With her kind and generous heart coupled with her gracious spirit, Dorothy was a ray of sunshine for those close enough to receive the gift of her warmth. The Roaring Twenties were a fantastic period in our nations history, when the sounds of progress could be heard in every village and city across America. It was the birthplace of jazz, the golden age of industry and, above all, a time of plenty. It was into these bustling times that Dorothy was born on March 10, 1927, in Muskegon, Michigan to Cornelius and Henrietta (Vanderstelt) Dykema. Dorothy grew up in Muskegon in a large, loving family. She was the fifth of eight children with four brothers and three sisters (she was closest with her older sister, Helen). While her mother undoubtedly had her hands full as a homemaker, her father worked for a time as a steamship operator on the Great Lakes, but later went into Purchasing at Shaw Box. Money was always tight for their big family, and they didnt have a car to get around in, just the momentum of their two feet! Dorothys father also cultivated a large garden from which they ate much of the bounty. Dorothy portrayed this same strong work ethic as a teenager, as she worked for her neighbor, Dr. Olsen, pressing his shirts and cleaning his house for fifty cents a day. She later worked at the candy counter at Occidental Motel, and brought home their delicious hot fudge recipe, which she has to this day. It wasnt long before Dorothy caught the eye of a young solider named Frederick Wierengo and he asked her out for an ice cream cone. She accepted, of course, and it was the start of a beautiful relationship. Hopelessly in love, Dorothy and Fred were happily married on September 25, 1947, at the First Covenant Reformed Church in Muskegon Heights. After a romantic honeymoon at Niagara Falls, the newlyweds settled into married life together in an apartment in Lakeside. At the time, Fred worked for the City of Muskegon, while Dorothy worked in the Accounting Dept. at Cloverville Foundry. After their first child, son Chuck, was born in 1949, Dorothy left her job to devote herself to the role of a mother. When Freds father died, the family of three moved in with his mother for a short time to help her get back on her feet. After their daughter, Barb, was born in 1951, Dorothy and Fred realized they needed more room for their growing family and bought a new house on Jarman Street. It was here the couple welcomed the births of their two youngest children, Don (1955) and Janice (1962). Funny, Dorothy had no idea she was pregnant with Janice, she just thought she had a tumor or such - luckily, they were happily surprised with a bundle of joy instead. The Wierengo home was a place of pride for Dorothy. Her family always came first, and she would do anything for them. While Fred taught the kids how to hunt and fish, Dorothy prepared delicious meals for them, which often included her fabulous roast beef and homemade pies. She also sewed many of her kids clothes, and passed this talent on to her daughters. When it came to discipline, Dorothy was patient and caring very much a peacemaker. However, when pushed, she turned stern and unyielding in her resolve to correct the situation. Her oldest, Chuck, always seemed to want to test his moms resolve. As a youngster, he told his mom he was going to see the trains, and some time later when Dorothy called for him and he didnt come, she frantically ran (9 months pregnant) down to the train yard and crawled underneath the train to haul Chuck out and home. On another occasion, when Chuck was a little older, he smart-alecky told his mom to kiss his butt to which she answered with a baseball bat in hand, chasing him and vowing to kiss his butt alright. But he wasnt the only child of hers to get into some kind of mayhem they all did at one time or another. Nonetheless, Dorothy supported her children in their schooling and other activities, and above all, made sure they knew they were loved. When it came to relaxing, the Wierengos enjoyed camping in the Upper Peninsula over the years, spending time together fishing and boating. Later, when Dorothy and Fred had an empty nest, they enjoyed trips to Baldwin with eight other couples. Then, in their retirement years, the couple loved to escape the Michigan winters for a few weeks in sunny Florida. When at home, Dorothy and Freds happiest moments always involved the time that they spent with their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Unfortunately, Fred struggled for many years with heart problems (suffering his first heart attack at age 45), and sadly passing away at the age of 60. Truly heartbroken, Dorothy found great comfort in her children and grandchildren, and the courage to continue on. She so enjoyed watching the grandchildren and great grandchildren when their parents had to work they brought her so much joy and laughter even in her most difficult moments. Dorothy also kept in contact and socialized with family and friends, and attended Forest Park Covenant Church. For the last five years, Dorothys health began to decline. She lost her appetite for food, and suffered with painful arthritis. She sadly passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2010, at the age of 83. Dorothy will be greatly missed and remembered always by those who knew and loved her. Mrs. Dorothy M. Wierengo, age 83, passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2010. She is survived by her sons, Charles (Marilyn) Wierengo, Donald (Valerie) Wierengo; daughters, Barbara Jean Waldo, Janice (Brian) Sturm; grandchildren: Machelle, Jefferey, John, JoAnn, Nicholas, Julie, April; 8 great grandchildren; brother, David Dykema; sisters, Catherine Cross, Sarah Kopecky; and special brother-in-law, Max Rogalla. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Bob, John, Andy, and sister, Helen. Services will be on Thursday, August 5, at 11:00 a.m. in Clock Chapel at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon with Rev. Lawrence Bush officiating. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation is on Wednesday, August 4, from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday, 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Muskegon Rescue Mission. Please visit Dorothys memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.