Dorothy H. Loewen

Dorothy H. Loewen, 81, of Benton Harbor, passed away peacefully at 2:05 A.M. Monday, January 17, 2005 at Caretel Inns in St. Joseph following a long, courageous battle with congestive heart failure and renal failure. She was a very kind-hearted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and dear friend and will be missed by all who touched her life. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Friday at Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ, 3001 Veronica Court, St. Joseph. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Hagar Shores. Friends and may call from 4-8 P.M. Thursday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ or Hospice of Kalamazoo. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Dorothy was born August 11, 1923 in Benton Harbor, the daughter of Ernest A. & Ella (Zielke) Steinke. In 1941 she graduated from Benton Harbor High School. On June 11, 1949, she was united in marriage to Jack W. Loewen. They enjoyed 42 years of marriage before his death on May 5, 1992. Dorothy was employed for 11 years at New Products; had worked as a crossing guard at Lafayette School; and also at Wilson?s Bakery in St. Joseph. She enjoyed being a ?stay at home mother? and enjoyed sewing, camping, playing cards, and spending many wonderful winters in Florida. Dorothy was a member of Zion Church in St. Joseph; Zion Friendship Circle, and the Frauengruppe Society of the D.A.N.K. Dorothy is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law-Diana L. Loewen, Donna J. (Reinhard) Lippert of Benton Harbor, Marcia (Todd) Erb of St. Joseph; and her two special grandchildren Ryan Alan & Jenna Marie Erb of St. Joseph. She will be missed by her canine friend ?Marlow?. In addition to her husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her brother Ernest R. Steinke on November 7, 2004. She leaves behind many wonderful friends, family, nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks for the wonderful care, love and support the employees at Caretel Inns and Hospice of Kalamazoo provided Dorothy and her family during her final days to prepare her for an everlasting life with her Lord and Maker.