Dorothy Mieras

Sunday dinner at the Mieras’s house was a time of joy, great food and togetherness. Everyone was welcome and no one left hungry. There was one constant on Sunday: Dorothy Mieras would serve her family dishes full of great food and generous servings of love.

When she entered the world in 1908 as Dorothy L. Zoerhof , she was the sixth child in a family that would grow to have eight children. Her parents John and Cornelia Zoerhof welcomed this bundle of joy into their hearts. At this time in American history, Henry Ford had just developed the Model T automobile which sold for $850 and President Theodore Roosevelt visited Panama, becoming the first U.S. president to travel abroad while in office.

Dorothy’s childhood was a pleasant one. She grew up and lived on the west side of Grand Rapids near John Ball Park. Many of her cherished memories were of feeding the ducks there and the family even joked that the older daughter Sue’s first word was “Quack”! As she grew older she attended Straight St. School and graduated from Union High School. Dorothy lived at home and worked at Consumers Power until she met her husband Neil. Although Neil had taken her sister Flo out on a date, when he brought her home he set his eyes on Dorothy and never took them off.

The happy young couple married on May 28, 1937. While they were beginning their lifelong love affair, the world was going through some rocky times. United Auto Workers were participating in sit-down strikes, Amelia Earheart and her aircraft disappeared over the Pacific and the Memorial Day Massacre leaves ten steel strikers dead in Chicago.

No matter what the world was going through, the love of Neil and Dorothy became a safe haven. They bought their one and only home in 1938 on 1444 Widdicomb N.W. Over the years they gave birth to two beautiful daughters, Susan and Jane. The family was happy and busy. Neil owned the Mieras Family Shoe Store, which he purchased from his father. Both husband and wife ran the store and worked hard to see it succeed. Everyone in town knew Dorothy and liked her. She was the hardest worker at the store and always had a smile for everyone. Her life was good and her needs simple: a good game of bridge, old hymns to listen to and plenty of time to read her Bible. Her main treat was a big bowl of vanilla ice cream and fresh fruit.

Dorothy Mieras was the kind of woman that earned the honor of being called a faithful servant. She dedicated her life to her church, Broadway Avenue Christian Reformed Church and was a charter member of Westview Christian Reformed Church. Her faithfulness was a natural part of her being. She was a loving and faithful wife, a dedicated and selfless mother, a friend to everyone in need.

Whether Dorothy was making sure you had the best fitting shoes or was piling your plate full of homemade Sunday dinner, she was doing what she did best: serving those around her with love and faithfulness.

Dorothy L. Mieras passed away on Monday, September 8, 2003. She rests safe in the arms of her loving Savior following a wonderful life. She was preceded in death by her husband Neil. Dorothy is survived by her two daughters, Jane and Stephen Doezema and Susan and J. Michael Joyce. Grandchildren Sharyl and Lee Welch, Jeffrey and Doreen Joyce, Caleb, Joshua and Benjamin Doezema. Great-grandchildren Nicholas and Alexander Welch, and Olivia, Tyler and Devon Joyce. Sister-in-law Kathryn Mieras and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may meet the family at the Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard St. N.W. on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday September 12 at Westview Christian Reformed Church, 2121 Leonard St. N.W. The family would like to thank the Edison Assisted Living and Christian Rest Home for their years of assistance. To read Dorothy’s complete life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution please visit her personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Dorothy Mieras was a shining light of love to those who knew her. She will be missed.