Dorothy A. VanNortwick's Obituary
Dorothy “Marga” Anna VanNortwick, age 85, passed away in Zeeland, MI, Monday, November 6, 2023. A WWII orphan, she was adopted by a couple named Lemle who called her “Marga”. She grew up in Konstanz, Germany on Lake Constance near the Alps. She attended a girls’ Catholic school and Business High School. She later earned a US diploma from Fruitport High School. At 19, she moved to Stuttgart, Germany to work and met her 1st husband. They raised 4 daughters in Gorham, Maine and Fruitport, Michigan. When the children were older, she returned to working in music retail, notably at Beermans and Meijer Inc. She remarried in 1988 and had a long, happy partnership with Gerald “Jerry” E. VanNortwick. Their shared interests were home improvement and traveling including trips to Europe, the Rockies and Florida. Her hobbies included swimming, skiing, gardening, knitting, and birdwatching. She kept in touch with her children, grandchildren, and German relatives. Marga didn’t keep her opinions a secret from anybody. She was kind to animals and adopted many over the years. She contributed to animal and environmental causes. She counted birds annually for “Project Feeder Watch” of Cornell University. For “Volunteer Muskegon,” she knit dozens of hats and mittens each year for needy children. This is how she would like to be remembered. She is survived by her 4 daughters; Marion (Robert) Bruce, Heidi Wilder, Christine Wilder, and Karen (Steven) Carleton, 7 granddaughters, and several great-grandchildren, and preceded in death by her parents; Wilhelm and Josefine (Brunner) Lemle and her husband Jerry. In lieu of flowers consider making a memorial contribution in her name to the NOAH Project – Muskegon or Harbor Humane Society – West Olive. Arrangements by the Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Muskegon, MI, 49444
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