Dorothea Marion Welt Boehm

Dorothea (Dottie) Marion Welt Boehm, 91, of St. Joseph, passed away on November 21, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 26, 2011 at First Baptist Church, 902 Broad St., in St. Joseph, with Pastor Marlo Fritzke officiating. Burial will follow at Ruggles Cemetery in Baroda. Friends may visit from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 25, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in St. Joseph. Those wishing to share a memory may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Dottie was born on August 25, 1920 in Melvin, MI, to Roy and Knessie Welt. She was a graduate of Lapeer County Normal High School, and began her teaching career at age 18 in a one room school house in rural St. Clair County Schools. Dottie received her Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University College of Education, and obtained a Masters of Arts from Michigan State University College of Education. She taught kindergarten in the St. Joseph Public School System, educating children for 15 years at Washington School, and 15 years at Brown School before retiring in 1979 after 39 years in education. Dottie was blessed to have many current St. Joe residents as her students, and also taught many of their own children over the years. She was a past member of St. Joseph Elementary Teachers Club, former president of St. Joseph Education Association, and past District President of Michigan Education Association. Dottie was a long time member of First Baptist Church of St. Joseph, serving as church pianist, organist, choir member, Berean Class Sunday School, and as one of the first leaders of Pioneer Girls. She was a gifted musician, and played organ and piano beautifully from memory. Dottie also enjoyed cooking and baking, and was the 1936 4-H Club Grand Champion Cake Baker of the Michigan State Fair. In 1965, Dottie married Gary Boehm, a widower, and adopted his children. Together they raised the children, continued their mutual love of music, and renovated and remodeled several homes over the years. They especially loved travelling in the U.S. and overseas, planning annual tours with their close friends. Dottie is survived by daughter Jean Cortes (and husband Craig); son Dennis Boehm (and wife DeeDee); Grandsons – Jay Cortes, Blake Boehm, Kyle Boehm (and wife Dana), and Alex Boehm; three great grandchildren – Kaidyn, Ava and Jaxon Boehm; cousins Muriel Beltz, Arlene Nichols, and Mary Krieger; and many loving friends. She was preceded in death by: Husband, Gary Boehm; her parents; sister, Doris Laidler; son, Gary Michael Boehm; and grandson, Dustin Boehm.