Dorothy Lorraine Fuerstnau, 95, formerly of Fibre, died Monday, October 19, 2009, in Grand Rapids.

She was born April 16, 1914, in Grand Rapids to Frank Charles and Lavancha Mae (nee Losey) Maynard.

She grew up in Grand Rapids and was graduated from Creston High School. She attended Davenport College and then worked in a medical office.

She married Harold Fuerstnau June 8, 1946, in Ann Arbor. They settled in Fibre, Mr. Fuerstnau’s hometown, and where their family grew up on their farm.

Mrs. Fuerstnau attended Rudyard Bible Church in Rudyard. She enjoyed gardening and flowers and loved to bake, with fudge, pies, cinnamon rolls, bread, and cream puffs among her specialtis. She helped support children through overseas relief organizations. She always had a soft spot in her heart for animals, friends said.

She is survived by three daughters and their families, Susan Bean of Grand Rapids, Judy Ann Fuerstnau of Sault Ste. Marie, and Elizabeth “Beth” and David Church of Columbus, Ohio; three sons and their families, Ronald and Barbara Fuerstnau of Wyoming, Donald Fuerstnau of Fibre, and Craig Fuerstnau and LeAnn Wright of Newaygo; 12 grandchildren and their families, Michelle Bean, Brent Bean, Melanie Bean, Jason Church, Angela Church, Richard Fuerstnau, Heather Fuerstnau, Heidi and David Piechocki, Lyndsey Ann Fuerstnau, Roy Arney, Jonathan Arney, and Russell Arney, and 14 great-grandchildren, Madeline Bean, Morgana Bean, Belladonna Leggio, Angelica Leggio, Matthew Inman, Josephine Inman, Josslyn Rose Diolkowski, Erin Fuerstnau, Remington Arney, Gabriel Arney, Annabelle Arney, Archer Arney, Conner Arney, and Ray Leith Arney.

Mrs. Fuerstnau was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; a sister, Mary Briggs, and a niece, Nancy Limbeck.

Services will be private. Burial will be at North Rudyard Cemetery in Kinross Township.

Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford assisted the family with arrangements.