Dorothy Nelson
February 7th, 1931 - January 6th, 2025
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Dorothy's Obituary
Dorothy Nelson, 93, of Berrien Springs, passed away, Monday, January 6, 2025 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 13 at Zion United Church of Christ, 9100 Church St., Baroda. Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery in Baroda. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Dorothy’s name may be made to Zion United Church of Christ or Zion Church Women’s Fellowship. Those wishing to sign Dorothy’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Dorothy was born February 7, 1931 in Baroda to August & Augusta (Pschigoda) Sommers. She graduated from Baroda High School, Class of 1949 where she received the American Legion Award for perfect attendance. On March 22, 1952 she married C. Dale Nelson in Baroda. Dorothy was employed at V-M Corporation in Benton Harbor before gaining employment at Ott Insurance Agency in Baroda. She retired in 1991 after seventeen & one-half years at D.C. Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman as a storeroom clerk. Dorothy was a long-time member of Zion United Church of Christ in Baroda. In her free time, she enjoyed being outdoors in the summer tending to her lawn, flower & vegetable gardens, playing Solitare and reading.
Dorothy is survived by her three daughters-Marion Koetsier of New Buffalo, Marjorie (Mike) Kesterke of Eau Claire, Marlene (Dale) Villwock of Buchanan; eight grandchildren-Nick (Alyson) Kechkaylo, Jenny (Kris) Carter, Jacob (Clint Berger) Koetsier, Rachael (Lauren Carter) Koetsier, Adam (Brandy) Villwock, Brian (Jennifer) Villwock, Chad Kesterke & Amanda Kesterke; six great-grandchildren-Lucy Tucker, Sally Carter, Alex & Nina Kechkaylo, Theo Villwock & Bryce Villwock; and several nieces & nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Dale on April 25, 2017, grandson Joseph Villwock, great-grandchildren Colleen Villwock & Freddy Carter, her parents, nine brothers-Fred, Herman, Albert, William, August, Ben, Herbert, Samuel & John Sommers.
Dorothy’s family would like to extend a special Thank-You to the staff at Hanson Hospice Center for the care afforded her in her last days.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, January 13 at Zion United Church of Christ, 9100 Church St., Baroda. Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery in Baroda. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations in Dorothy’s name may be made to Zion United Church of Christ or Zion Church Women’s Fellowship. Those wishing to sign Dorothy’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Dorothy was born February 7, 1931 in Baroda to August & Augusta (Pschigoda) Sommers. She graduated from Baroda High School, Class of 1949 where she received the American Legion Award for perfect attendance. On March 22, 1952 she married C. Dale Nelson in Baroda. Dorothy was employed at V-M Corporation in Benton Harbor before gaining employment at Ott Insurance Agency in Baroda. She retired in 1991 after seventeen & one-half years at D.C. Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgman as a storeroom clerk. Dorothy was a long-time member of Zion United Church of Christ in Baroda. In her free time, she enjoyed being outdoors in the summer tending to her lawn, flower & vegetable gardens, playing Solitare and reading.
Dorothy is survived by her three daughters-Marion Koetsier of New Buffalo, Marjorie (Mike) Kesterke of Eau Claire, Marlene (Dale) Villwock of Buchanan; eight grandchildren-Nick (Alyson) Kechkaylo, Jenny (Kris) Carter, Jacob (Clint Berger) Koetsier, Rachael (Lauren Carter) Koetsier, Adam (Brandy) Villwock, Brian (Jennifer) Villwock, Chad Kesterke & Amanda Kesterke; six great-grandchildren-Lucy Tucker, Sally Carter, Alex & Nina Kechkaylo, Theo Villwock & Bryce Villwock; and several nieces & nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Dale on April 25, 2017, grandson Joseph Villwock, great-grandchildren Colleen Villwock & Freddy Carter, her parents, nine brothers-Fred, Herman, Albert, William, August, Ben, Herbert, Samuel & John Sommers.
Dorothy’s family would like to extend a special Thank-You to the staff at Hanson Hospice Center for the care afforded her in her last days.
Memorial Contributions
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.