Submitted by: Dan Rich
Dorothy M. Grenert
April 12, 1906 - April 19, 2006
SOUTH BEND - Dorothy M. Grenert of South Bend passed away at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, 2006, in the St. Joseph Transitional Care Center, Mishawaka, just one week after her 100th birthday. Dorothy was born on April 12, 1906, in Marshall County, IN, to the late Lee and Luella (Thompson) Ritzman. She graduated from Teegarden High School in 1924.
On June 6, 1925, in Tyner, as Dorothy Ritzman, she married John Grenert. They lived on a farm north of Teegarden for 55 years where they raised their family. He preceded her in death on July 14, 1978. Along with her beloved husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Ronald Grenert in 1970, and her daughter, Twilo Stump in 1972, her sister, Ethel Harden, and by her brother, Francis Ritzman.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Thelma Trump of South Bend; six grandchildren whom she dearly loved and was so proud of, Dr. Dan Stump and his late wife, Lisa of Melbourne, FL, John Randall Stump of Orlando, FL, Julie (Larry) Yoder of South Bend, Merry Lee (James) Bain of Lafayette, Kyle (Karen) Grenert and Tad (Amy) Grenert, both of Honolulu, HI. Also surviving are eight great-grandchildren, Ronald "RJ" Evans, Jonathan Evans, Elizabeth Stump, Anna Stump, Michael Stump, Briana Grenert, Korynn and Kevin Grenert; and a daughter-in-law, Jean Grenert Capatani of Hibbing, MN.
Dorothy was a lifetime member of the Teegarden United Methodist Church and was very active in the Women's Missionary Society where they worked many hours sewing cancer bandages, quilting, etc.
After moving to South Bend in 1984, she attended Trinity Evangelical Free Church. Her strength, spirit and positive attitude was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. A special "thank you" to all the kind people at the St. Joseph Transitional Care Center, Mishawaka, for all the loving care they gave her during her last days.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 22, 2006, in the Palmer Funeral Home, Lakeville. Graveside services and burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Walkerton. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. today, April 21st, in the Palmer Funeral Home and one hour prior to services on Saturday. Contributions in memory of Dorothy M. Grenert may be made to the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.