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Dorothy Mae (Olson) Darke, age 88 of Scottville and Ludington passed away on February 3, 2016 at Oakview Medical Care Facility in Ludington.
Dorothy was born on April 6, 1927 at her family home on Rath Avenue in Ludington to the late William and Edith (Larson) Olson. She attended Ludington Public Schools. She married Louis Clayton Darke on February 6, 1946; he preceded her in death on January 31, 1997. They lived together in the home that Louis built on Chauvez Rd in Scottville, where they raised 5 children, had beautiful gardens, wonderful family get togethers and crazy card games. The family has many memories of camping trips at Platte River and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula; also Dorothy’s cooking…her dinner rolls being much requested at pot luck events.
After Louie retired from C&O Railroad, he and Dorothy spent many winters in Cedar Key, Florida, making many new friends. After Louie’s passing, Dorothy moved back to Ludington and was happy to return to the church she loved as a youth, Ludington United Methodist and attended regularly with her dear sisters in law, Bonnie Olson and Linda Olson.
Dorothy enjoyed bingo like her mother, card games and a trip now and then to the casino. She enjoyed the time spent at Sherman Oaks and Village Manor both in Ludington.
A fall and the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease found Dorothy in the wonderful care provided at Sutter Living Center and Oakview Medical Care Facility both in Ludington.
Dorothy is survived by her daughters, Mary (James) Dobias, Carol Patten, Nancy (Rick) Ziemkowski all of Ludington; Diana (Bill) Bentz of Florida and son, Michael (Kathleen) Darke Jr. of Ludington; sisters, Jean Argue of Scottville and Judy Stever of Ludington and much loved sister-in-law, Linda Olson of Ludington. Also her very dear friend, Dorothy Gunberg; grandchildren, Lori Dobias, Greg Dobias, Amy Gable, Kristine Kounelis, Michelle Darke, Jenifer Betteridge, Michael Darke, Melissa Holden, Nicole Patten, Richard Ziemkowski, Zachary Ziemkowski, 23 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her brothers, William, Harold, Robert, Alvin, Willard and Gary; sisters, Evelyn Smith and Hilda Johnson and her granddaughter, Heidi Ann Darke.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life gathering will take place on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at Oak Grove Funeral Home in Ludington from 11 to 1 p.m.
Burial will take place in the spring at Center Riverton Cemetery in Ludington.
Memorial contributions may be directed to The Alzheimer’s Association for Team: Dort’s Dirty Dozen.
Please feel free to share a photo or a memory with Dorothy’s family at www.oakgrovefh.com. The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Ludington.
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