Dorothy M. Kraft, 100, passed away on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 4:20 p.m. at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.
Born in Chicago, Illinois on December 23, 1920, Dorothy was the daughter of August and Christine (Baumann) Landeck. She would attend St. Rita’s Catholic High School before transferring to Niles High School in Niles, MI for her junior year. She would graduate from Niles High School with the class of 1939. But while in school, she grew very fond of a young boy, Marvin A. Kraft.
On June 6, 1942 in Niles, Dorothy and Marvin were married. While Marvin was serving in World War II, Dorothy worked for National Standard in Niles. During their life together, the family lived in Union City, Mich., for 11 years, Battle Creek, Mich., for a year, Niles, Mich. for 13 years, New Castle, Ind. for two years, and finally moving to Plymouth in 1971. Her father played in the minor league for the Chicago White Sox, and through his passion Dorothy developed a love for the White Sox and the game. She was on a softball team that won the State of Michigan Softball Championship in 1948, while living in Union City. When they would return to Niles until 1969, she became the manager of the men’s department at Parmalees Clothing Store. During their second time living in Niles, she became the women’s golf club champion at Plym Park Golf Course in 1963.
She loved to dance, cook, play cards, golfing, mahjong, and enjoyed an ice-cold bottle of Miller High Life all the way to age 98. Dorothy was an avid bowler, with 602 being her highest game, until her daughter Patty beat her score.
A very organized and very social person, Dorothy became involved in various activities. As a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Plymouth, she worked on various fundraisers such as the cookbooks, and was a greeter. She was a member of the Plymouth County Club since 1971, having served on many committees, helped with various golf tournaments, and organized many card nights. She was the Queen Mum of the Red Hats Society and did service work for the Boys & Girls Club in Plymouth.
Dorothy and Marvin wintered in Bonita Springs, FL for many years and happily enjoyed their summer months at their home on Pretty Lake Trail. While in Florida and well into her 80s, Dorothy worked part-time at a bakery.
She is survived by her loving children: Dan (Chris) Kraft of Zionsville, IN, Lana (Michael) Hand of Alva, FL and Patty (John) Romano of Plymouth; 4 grandchildren: Nicholas (Sarah) Kraft and Jacob (Mindy), Christopher and Kasey Ann Romano; 8 great-grandchildren: Taylor, Cameron, Kendall, Hunter, Heyden, Holden, Hudson and Jack; her sister, Virginia (Vern) Hiter-Hubbard and brother, Alan (Jan) Landeck; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews; and special neighbor, Jonathan “Jay” Jones.
A Celebration of Dorothy’s Life will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021 from 2-5 p.m. at the former Plymouth Country Club, now The Trap Sports & Spirits, 10055 Pretty Lake Trail, Plymouth.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Marvin on July 24, 2002, her parents and her brother, George Landeck.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Michael Catholic Church, 612 N. Walnut Street, Plymouth, IN 46563.
PLEASE NOTE: Mask requirement is subject to the Plymouth Country Club and will be updated when date is chosen.
Deborah Steiner winter says
Patty. You are in my prayers. We loved your mom! 100 wow.
Hang onto those memories for all the comfort you need.
Remember you have comfort in your friends as you are a lovely person also!
Norma Young says
Many wonderful memories I have of all our fun filled times we have shared through the years. Dorothy was a good organizer and we all looked to her for the good times. This past year has been hard for many. Please accept my sincere sympathy to all your family.
LAWRENCE J MILLER says
Dear Family I want to express to you my condolences for your loss, and congratulations on having Dorothy in your lives for such a long time. I enjoyed playing golf with Dorothy through the Plymouth Country Club Wednesday evening couples play and of course the socializing afterwards. I miss seeing her at ST. Michael’s Church as one of our greeters. My prayers are with you. 🙏🏻
Pam Warner says
To Dorothy’s Family:
I had the privilege of meeting Mom (Dorothy) in Florida through Lana and Mike. Thank You for sharing her with us!! I will forever have fond memories playing cards, having get togethers, and just speaking with her. May your memories bring you comfort. Rest In Peace Dorothy (Mom)..
Darla (Klute) Walls & Floyd says
Dorothy was a great person!! My thoughts & prayers are with all of you Dan, Lana & Patty and Virginia & Alan & all the families!!
Paul and Carol Nye says
Dear Family,
Throughout the years we have been endeared to Dorothy for a variety of reasons. Her spirit and enthusiasm for life was always foremost as we shared being neighbors and friends. Please accept our condolences as she leaves behind a life well lived.
Nelson Chipman says
One of a kind. A life well lived. Always so active and cheerful. She is missed. Deepest condolences.
Tom Sibal says
Dorothy was a wonderful person who loved to help out when needed. She was a huge help when I was at Ancilla College for our annual golf outing. It was an event that was only possible with the help of many volunteers and Dorothy was always happy and proud to be one to help me out year after year.
Lynn Hartman says
Dorothy has been my best neighbor for 23 yrs. But I knew her before that. She was great friends of my parents, Kay and Wade Wyatt and my step-mom Dolores (Dee). We would go back and forth all the time. She would always have her Miller High Life and I would have a glass of wine. We had so many good talks. She would tell me about my parents that I loved to hear. She would talk about Marvin and all the things they did. This neighborhood will not be the same without her. I can’t even begin to explain how much I will miss her. She lived life to the fullest. Loved that gal so much. My heart and prayers go out to Dan, Lana and Patty and her grandchildren.
Sarah Young says
Dorothy was a one-of-a-kind, special person. I always enjoyed spending time with her and loved her sense of humor. She will not be forgotten. You are all in my thoughts.
Kathy Szczepkowski says
As a member and later as church secretary, I knew Dorothy for years from St. Michael Church. She and Rosemary Wozniak were a team at Sunday Masses. When I became Head of the church “greeter” team Dorothy volunteered to greet for the 11:30 a.m. Sunday Masses until 2020 when we no longer had that Mass. Many of my younger Greeters would fail to show up or beg off for other things, but Dorothy always came. I will never forget her humor and smile. I sent her a card for her 100th birthday. Wish I could have spoken to her….so many things she saw transpire in those 100 years! Hope she is much happier now where there is PEACE and JOY. God bless all the family for sharing her life with her. She is in my prayers.