Dorothy Kolbus Ayotte

Dorothy Kolbus Ayotte, age 94, of 200 W. City Park Drive in Munising, died following a brief illness late Thursday evening, December 15, 2011 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. She was born on November 12, 1917 in Munising to the late Joseph and Anna (Sindelar) Johns. Dorothy graduated from Sacred Heart School and then Wm. G. Mather High School in 1936. She married John Joseph Kolbus, Sr. in 1937 and together they raised their five children. Dorothy and John were part of the original membership of the Pictured Rocks Golf and Country Club and they also belonged to a Dance Club. They were married over thirty years when he preceded her in death in 1967. Dorothy shared her kitchen talents over her working career. Bud's Park & Eat Drive-In sold her pasties for $0.35 a piece and then she worked many years in the kitchen at the hospital. She was a fabulous baker,her decorated cakes were purchased by many families, and she was also a talented seamstress. In 1975, Dorothy married Victor Ayotte. She helped him operate the Chatham Village Pub until they sold it and began wintering in Florida. Vic died in 1990, but Dorothy continued to spend the winter months in Fort Lauderdale. She loved taking morning walks whether in Florida or at her home in AuTrain. She was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Church and the National Catholic Society of Foresters. Dorothy bowled on three leagues, enjoyed exercising, and she lived with an optimistic attitude about life.

She is survived by four children - John (Carolyn) Kolbus, Jr. of Munising, Robert (Toni) Kolbus of Munising, Connie (Theo) Folz of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Katherine (Arthur) Rogers of Rochester Hills, MI; twelve grandchildren - J.B. (Terri) Kolbus, Christine (Dan) Zarling, Shawn (Kathleen) Kolbus, Lisa (Tom) Schramm, Stephanie (Terry) McAllister, Tammy (Scott) Lindeblad, Robert (Kristine) Kolbus, Brad (Kathy) Kolbus, Peter Kolbus, Andrew (Lindsay) Kolbus, Jennifer Kolbus, and Christopher (Jessica) Rogers; eighteen great-grandchildren - Ryan, Katie, Michael, Danielle, Stephanie, Erica, Kaylee, Jordan, Kaitlyn, Jacob, Joel, Jillian, Hailey, Tyler, Jennifer (Steve), Jordan, Samantha, and Charlie; great-great grandson - Lucas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, husbands John and Vic, son Clifford "Kip" Kolbus, brothers Vern, Clifford, and Edward "Bud" Johns, and sisters Agnes Bennett and Phyllis DesArmo.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. A Parish Vigil service and time of sharing memories and stories will begin at 6:00 p.m. Dorothy's funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Chris Gardiner on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery. Dorothy will be escorted by her grandsons.

Memorials in her name may be made to the Sacred Heart Capital Campaign Fund, Assistance League of Southeast Michigan (3128 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills, MI 48309), or Funding Arts Broward (401 Las Olas Blvd. - Suite 2200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.)

Graveside services for Dorothy Kolbus Ayotte will be held at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising on Friday, August 3, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. with Father Chris Gardiner officiating.