Dorothy Witkop Von Holt, Died April 3, 2018

Dorothy Witkop Von Holt

Died April 3, 2018

OMENA – Dorothy May (Witkop) Von Holt, 93, of Omena, passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2018 knowing she was loved and awaiting the love of those who have gone before her.

Dorothy was born Oct. 15, 1924 in Leelanau County the daughter of Ray and Ada (Coleman) Witkop, and the sister of older brothers, Kenneth and Paul Witkop.  Except for her travels, she lived all her life in the county.

Mom grew up in Suttons Bay attending the “Stone Schoolhouse” and graduating at the age of 16 with a scholarship for her ability on the violin to Interlochen School for the Arts.  However, the sudden death of her father and WWII changed the course of her life.

At 17 she moved to Ferndale, MI to work in the N.A. Woodworth National Aircraft Works factory where she was soon in charge of inspecting some of the most critical parts of the Flying Fortress Bombers.  She continued throughout the war as one of the original Rosie the Riveters.

At the end of the war, she returned to Suttons Bay working at Frigid Foods where she met her future husband, Ronald “Bob” Von Holt.  They were married Oct. 12, 1949 and were never separated until his death in 2003.  They settled on the Von Holt family farm in Omena and raised a variety of fruits throughout the years, finally settling on one crop, cherries, which continues today after five generations.  Mom loved being a full-time partner with dad in running the farm, and she continued well into her 80’s in some capacity on the farm with her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson.

Mom was an avid deer hunter, spending many years traveling “up north” with dad to set up camp for deer season.  She loved to fish Bass Lake, hunt for morels in the woods, and pick wild blueberries in the U.P.  She was a true outdoors person.  Mom also had a love for animals, and they for her.  Whether she found them, or they found her, the house was filled with pets, including pet crows that she taught to speak.

Mom was a talented and passionate bee keeper.  She ran over 100 hives and loved gathering up a swarm.  She rarely ever got stung.

We all enjoyed her baking skills.  Fresh donuts and cookies and breads were a daily occurrence, but oh those pies!  Her pies were humbly award winning.  Her Christmas tins of cookies were known throughout the neighborhood and county; “everyone gets a tin.”

Mom and dad spent many years traveling in the U.S., making many friends along the way.  They spent most of their late years in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  No matter where they traveled, they rarely missed a day of fishing.

Mom’s greatest joy though was her grandchildren.  They spent many years on the farm with her, enjoying their summers and learning about gardening, baking, sewing, fishing, the joys of nature, and working on the farm.

Dorothy is survived by her son, James (Eugenie Scott) Von Holt, and daughter, Sandra (Doug) McCoy; her grandchildren, Sonja (Todd) Morton, Jaime (Dan) Bardenhagen, Wyatt (Stephanie Fineout) McCoy; and her great-grandchildren, Daniel and Justin Bardenhagen, Stephanie and Zachary Morton, and Douglas “Dougie” McCoy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Paul Witkop in infancy, and also her brother Kenneth.

A private family memorial will be held at the family farm during the cherry blossom time in May.

If you would like to remember Dorothy, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E. Traverse Highway, Suite 1155, Traverse City, MI 49684.

Condolences may be shared with Dorothy’s family below or at the funeral home Facebook page: