Obituary for Dorothy J. Theunissen
In loving memory of Dorothy “Dottie” Theunissen, age 92 of Mt. Pleasant, MI, we are saddened to announce her passing on August 3, 2023.
Dorothy was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the daughter of Arnold and Glapha Eddy, one of seven children. She graduated from Ionia High School and Central Michigan University. Dorothy married William V. Theunissen on August 19, 1950, and together they made their home in Mt. Pleasant, MI, and were the proud and devoted parents of their four children. Dottie, with husband Bill, was instrumental in developing the Isabella Child Development Center. She volunteered in service capacities for over 30 years and travelled around the world 3 times taking in 5 summer Olympic games in Munich; Montreal; Los Angeles; Seoul, Korea; and Sydney, Australia. In addition to her numerous activities in Central MI, Dottie and Bill spent their winters in Mission TX where she added to her large number of friends.
Dottie was a member and officer of the First Presbyterian Church, Tourist Club, PEO sisterhood, and Mt. Pleasant Country Club. She received awards from the Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club, the PTA of Mt. Pleasant Schools, and was named 2015 Fan of the Year by CMU Baseball. She enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, reading, gardening, and she knitted prayer shawls for over 75 church members. Her final years were spent in residence at Green Acres Assisted Living Memory Unit.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Donald, William, and Charles Eddy; sisters Helen Bennett, Delores Eddy, and Mary Gover; granddaughter Jessica Karolak; and her husband Bill Theunissen.
She is survived by her children, Mike (Joanne) Theunissen, Chris (Barb) Theunissen, Lorraine (Dale) Karolak and Richard (Maxine) Theunissen; eleven grandchildren Craig (Jocelyn) Theunissen, Steve (Nicole) Theunissen, Victoria (Anthony) Siciliano, Daniel Theunissen, Tiffany (John) Schultz, Stefany (Kyle) Schiller, Nathan (Cassie) Theunissen, Christine (Skyler) Lashley, Ryan Karolak, Justin Theunissen, Melissa (Robert) Mashatt; plus ten great-grandchildren Katelyn, Bryce and Avery Schultz, Liam and Zoey Theunissen; Callan and Emery Schiller; RJ Mashatt; Cayden and Addison Theunissen.
The family extends its sincere gratitude to the staff of Green Acres Assisted Living facility and Careline Hospice for their exceptional care of our mom/grandmother as well as their thoughtfulness during this difficult time. While we’re all grateful her final passing was peaceful, we miss her greatly. She holds a permanent place in our hearts and will forever be remembered for her kind heart & unique sense of humor.
A life so delightfully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. A memorial service will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. A luncheon will immediately follow in the Reflections Reception Center. Interment of ashes will take place at Riverside Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, the Chippewa Baseball Athletic Fund, or Isabella Child Development Center. Envelopes will be available at Clark Family Funeral Chapel of the church.
Dorothy was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the daughter of Arnold and Glapha Eddy, one of seven children. She graduated from Ionia High School and Central Michigan University. Dorothy married William V. Theunissen on August 19, 1950, and together they made their home in Mt. Pleasant, MI, and were the proud and devoted parents of their four children. Dottie, with husband Bill, was instrumental in developing the Isabella Child Development Center. She volunteered in service capacities for over 30 years and travelled around the world 3 times taking in 5 summer Olympic games in Munich; Montreal; Los Angeles; Seoul, Korea; and Sydney, Australia. In addition to her numerous activities in Central MI, Dottie and Bill spent their winters in Mission TX where she added to her large number of friends.
Dottie was a member and officer of the First Presbyterian Church, Tourist Club, PEO sisterhood, and Mt. Pleasant Country Club. She received awards from the Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club, the PTA of Mt. Pleasant Schools, and was named 2015 Fan of the Year by CMU Baseball. She enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, reading, gardening, and she knitted prayer shawls for over 75 church members. Her final years were spent in residence at Green Acres Assisted Living Memory Unit.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Donald, William, and Charles Eddy; sisters Helen Bennett, Delores Eddy, and Mary Gover; granddaughter Jessica Karolak; and her husband Bill Theunissen.
She is survived by her children, Mike (Joanne) Theunissen, Chris (Barb) Theunissen, Lorraine (Dale) Karolak and Richard (Maxine) Theunissen; eleven grandchildren Craig (Jocelyn) Theunissen, Steve (Nicole) Theunissen, Victoria (Anthony) Siciliano, Daniel Theunissen, Tiffany (John) Schultz, Stefany (Kyle) Schiller, Nathan (Cassie) Theunissen, Christine (Skyler) Lashley, Ryan Karolak, Justin Theunissen, Melissa (Robert) Mashatt; plus ten great-grandchildren Katelyn, Bryce and Avery Schultz, Liam and Zoey Theunissen; Callan and Emery Schiller; RJ Mashatt; Cayden and Addison Theunissen.
The family extends its sincere gratitude to the staff of Green Acres Assisted Living facility and Careline Hospice for their exceptional care of our mom/grandmother as well as their thoughtfulness during this difficult time. While we’re all grateful her final passing was peaceful, we miss her greatly. She holds a permanent place in our hearts and will forever be remembered for her kind heart & unique sense of humor.
A life so delightfully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered. A memorial service will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. A luncheon will immediately follow in the Reflections Reception Center. Interment of ashes will take place at Riverside Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, the Chippewa Baseball Athletic Fund, or Isabella Child Development Center. Envelopes will be available at Clark Family Funeral Chapel of the church.