Dorothy Theresa (Walen) Wernette

Dorothy Theresa (Walen) Wernette, aged 95, of Midland peacefully went to be with the Lord Thursday evening, January 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. 

Dorothy was born on November 30, 1930, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to John Charles Walen and Martha Ellen (Gasper) Walen. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Evelyn (Harry) Levandoski and brother Raymond (Mary Beth) Walen, who she has looked forward to seeing again. Several of her in-laws in the Wernette family have also preceded her. 

She is survived by her children: Mary Ellen (Jim) Hammond, Karen (Dan) DiBiasio, Terry Wernette, Dan (Bonnie) Wernette, Doug (Jill) Wernette, Tom (Shelly) Wernette, Julie (Dave) Hall, and Kathy (David) Wyman, 20 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as their children, and some Wernette family in-laws. 

While raising her children Dorothy enjoyed knitting them mittens and hats. Christmas was her favorite holiday; gifts for the kids, her handmade stockings, and the coming together as the family grew and spread, and eventually the cookie baking extravaganza making cookies and treats for family and friends with her daughters and others in the family. Quality control of the treats was her specialty! 

Dorothy attended Marywood Academy and Mercy Central School of Nursing where she graduated as a registered nurse. She continued meeting with her nursing classmates up until a few years ago. When her children started coming, she took a break from nursing. As the kids grew older, she returned to nursing at Midland Hospital - first as a nurse in the nursery, then for many years as a post-partum nurse, to help the new mothers. She retired after decades of service with moms and their newborn babies. 

Dorothy’s Catholic faith played a big role in her life. In her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with family and grandchildren, cross stitching and knitting, and increasing her involvement in her church. She enjoyed and treasured her Small Faith group gatherings and friendships formed and the Prayer Shawl Ministry and Stitch and Prayer. 

The funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, January 9, 2026, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 3109 Swede Avenue, Midland, with a luncheon to follow. Rite of committal will take place at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the Holy Cross Cemetery chapel. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Dorothy’s family will receive friends at the Wilson Miller Funeral Home, 4210 N Saginaw Rd, Midland, on Thursday, January 9, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. where a Rosary Service will be prayed at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you consider a donation to your favorite charity for those in need.