Dorothy Packer

Dorothy Packer was the kind of woman who woke up every day and felt like dancing. She was such a beautiful, vibrant woman, fun-loving and fearless, who could truly do anything she put her mind to. And she put her mind to doing so much, in her long and full life, a life so full of fond memories and her loving family. Dorothy was a woman who believed she could do anything, and taught us to believe it, too.

Dorothy’s story began on a cool fall day in 1922, in the little town of Kinde, Michigan, near the shores of Lake Huron in the state’s thumb. Those were good times in this country, the dawn of the Roaring 20s, when women won their right to vote, Big Bands became king, and Prohibition was the law of the land. On November 8, 1922, Anthony and Lucille (Lehman) Kula celebrated the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Dorothy.

Dorothy joined her older brother Frank and big sister Marguerite in the family’s home, and was later given a little brother, Robert. The family moved around the state quite a bit when Dorothy was growing up, especially during the tough times of the Great Depression, as her father looked for work. The family always lived on farms wherever they went, where Dorothy developed a lifelong love for the outdoors, as well as her impressive work ethic and appreciation for simple living.

Dorothy was a bright, talented young girl, and when she was young she even taught herself to play the piano, quite beautifully, in fact. She and her siblings would play the piano for various events in the neighborhood, and Dorothy really enjoyed playing the instrument.

When she was 15, the family packed up and moved once again, this time to the bustling city of Grand Rapids. Like so many young girls in those days, Dorothy left school to find work to help support her family. She vowed to someday finish her education, however.

It wasn’t long before Dorothy would have a family of her own to consider, though. She met a handsome young man in her neighborhood named Alfred Packer, and the sparks flew between them. He was eight years her senior, but they found much in common and quickly began dating. Soon, however, the young couple was separated by World War II, as Alfred enlisted in the Army in late January of 1942. His heart belonged to Dorothy, however, and before he shipped off to duty, they were quickly married, on February 13, 1942.

When her beloved husband returned from the service, they wasted little time starting their family. The couple had two beautiful daughters in the coming years, Joyce and Kathy, who filled their lives with happiness.

Dorothy was a wonderful mother, always so happy and positive, and a wonderful example to her daughters, as well. The three Packer girls formed an unusually close-knit bond, which lasted through the years.

They did much together as a family, especially camping. Every weekend in the summertime, they packed up the car and headed up to their trailer on Big Star Lake, where they formed so many wonderful memories together, often with extended family, as well. And of course, Dorothy made sure no one went hungry there, too!

Dorothy was a great cook, always simple but delicious meals, and she cooked healthy before it was popular, too, often using the many vegetables she grew in her garden. Dorothy was always a very generous, gracious woman, with an open-door policy to her home. Whoever was there for dinner was sure to be fed, and sure to leave full, too! Dorothy was also the unofficial neighborhood nurse and barber. Many of the kids in the neighborhood all had the same haircut, because that was what Dorothy knew how to do!

Dorothy was never afraid to learn, or to try new things. She had such a wonderful zest for life, and lived each day like a gift. In her 40s, she decided to learn to swim, so she took swimming lessons at the local YMCA. In her 50s, she decided it was time to learn to drive a car, and finally earned her license, proudly driving around in her little yellow Chevy Nova. She put her swimming lessons to good use when she was in her 50s, when she went on a camping trip in Colorado, which included whitewater rafting! That was Dorothy, though, always so fun-loving and fearless.

Then, when she was in her 60s, she decided to fulfill the promise she made to herself many years before, and returned to school. She began taking classes at West Catholic High School, and eventually, proudly, earned her diploma.

Dorothy was a woman who always had faith in herself, and faith in the Lord. She was a member at St. Anthony Church for a time, and then a longtime member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, faithfully attending Mass each Sunday. Faith was an important, integral part of who she was, and guided how she lived her life.

Later in life, Dorothy took a job at Burger King as a hostess, a time for her to get out of the house, earn some spending money, and make some new friends. To Dorothy, all work was honorable, and she loved the social aspect of her job. She also donated her first paycheck there to God’s Kitchen. Dorothy was a very social woman, and bowled in various leagues for many years, always enjoying her time with her friends.

In the 1990s, Alfred’s health began to fail, and Dorothy lovingly cared for her husband and her home for many years. She became very independent as a result. Her beloved husband died on October 30, 1998, which was very hard on her, after 56 years together, but she of course persevered.

Dorothy was always so energetic, upbeat and vibrant. Later in life, you never would have guessed her age. She was very happy and contented all of her days, appreciating the simple pleasures in life, like her family and friends. As she always said, with clean clothes and a smile on your face, you can go anywhere.

In 2006, Dorothy’s health slowly began to decline. Her daughters lovingly cared for their wonderful mother, right up until her final days. Sadly, Dorothy died on Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at the age of 84.

Dorothy was a remarkable woman, a woman so vibrant, so fun-loving. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and a friend to so many. Dorothy woke each day and felt like dancing, she always said. She made us want to dance with her, too. She will be greatly missed.

Dorothy is survived by her daughters, Joyce Packer and Kathy Peterson and by several nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, July 20 at 11:30 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW where relatives and friends may visit with her family on Thursday from 6-8 PM. For those who wish, memorial contributions to God’s Kitchen are appreciated. Interment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Dorothy’s family expresses their gratitude to the staff of Faith Hospice for the exceptional care that they provided. To read more about Dorothy’s life or to share a favorite memory, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.