Dolores J. Dinkel

Dolores was born Dolores June Schulze to Adolph and Mollie (Stein) Schulze in Pigeon, Michigan on June 25, 1926. She was baptized, confirmed and married in Berne Lutheran Church near Pigeon. She attended Berne Parochial School and Graduated from Pigeon High School in 1944. She loved to read and enjoyed learning about geography and history. She was the eldest of 9 children. Dolores married Raymond W. Dinkel July 27, 1947 and they moved to Midland where Ray worked as an electrician at Dow Corning.

Dolores enjoyed spending time outside tending large vegetable and flower gardens. She canned fruits and vegetables. The family showed flowers and vegetables in the Midland and Saginaw fairs. She loved to bake pies for gatherings and special occasions. There were many in the community who sampled Dolores' tasty pies.

Dolores worked at the Midland Post Office from *1964 - 1989 as a mail sorter and window clerk to provide for the education of their three children. All became Registered Nurses. She loved to read and travel. Summers were spent exploring historical sites and waterfalls throughout northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Winters were spent cutting, piecing and sewing quilts for her children, grandchildren and residents of nursing homes. In 1964 the family traveled to New York City to see the World's Fair. While there Dolores tried out for and secured a spot on the Jeopardy quiz show. Although she did not win she came home with a set of Compton's Encyclopedias. Dolores often frequented garage, yard and rummage sales and donated baby items to her women's group at Zion Lutheran Church. She had been a devoted member there for many years.

After retirement she continued to raise flowers and was frequently seen taking literally buckets of them to the hospital and area nursing homes for those who did not have flowers. She also actively supported her husband's desire to play senior softball. They traveled to Florida and California and many states in between. She made sure he had the right uniform and equipment, found restaurants and motels and planned the travel routes.

She is survived by her daughter Angela Erickson (Lynn) of Prescott, MI, Kevin (Debra) of Midland, and Gordon (Sue) of Braselton, GA, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, sisters Eileen Behr of Midland, Florence Beck of Olivet, and Diane Schulze of Taylor. She is preceded in death by her parents Adolph and Mollie (Stein) Schulze. Sisters Elna Mae Oesch and Marilyn Doyle, brothers Hilbert, Duane, and Marvin

Funeral services for Dolores will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2017 from the Beaver Zion Lutheran Church ,1557 Seidler Rd Auburn, MI 48611, with Pastor Seth R. Hemme officiating. Family will receive friends at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. and on Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Cremation will follow with inurnment in the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. Memorials in Dolores's name may be offered to the Beaver Zion Lutheran Church Maintenance Fund. Personal messages of condolence may be offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com

SERVICES Visitation

Wednesday, July 12, 2017
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Wilson MILLER Funeral Home
4210 N. Saginaw Rd
Midland, Michigan 48640

Visitation

Wednesday, July 12, 2017
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Wilson MILLER Funeral Home
4210 N. Saginaw Rd
Midland, Michigan 48640

Funeral Service

Thursday, July 13, 2017
11:00 AM

Beaver Zion Lutheran Church
1557 Seidler Rd.
Auburn, Michigan 48611

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