Dorothy M. Hans

Dorothy M. Hans, 84, passed away on June 1, 2023, in Greenwood, IN, yet she lived most of her life in Valparaiso, IN. She was born on December 31, 1938, in Fort Branch, IN to Gerhard and Hilda (Fehd) Michel.
Dorothy graduated from Elkhart University of Medical and Dental Technique and worked as an X-ray Technician in Lafayette, IN. She was also a caring and thoughtful homemaker, constantly giving of herself for family and friends. Some of Dorothy’s passions and talents included feeding and watching birds, especially hummingbirds; cleaning elderly friends’ homes; selling Avon; helping neighbors with groceries and chores; tending and canning the harvest from a large vegetable garden which also included over 300 chrysanthemums; sewing and mending clothes; teaching herself to re-upholster furniture and car interiors; being a Cub Scout den mother; making books of the Bible in braille with the Lutheran Braille Workers; crocheting hundreds of hats, scarves, and mittens for local school children and babies; over many years serving holiday breakfasts and funeral lunches at Heritage Lutheran Church; helping at vacation bible school during the summers; volunteering at the school library; and in later years being sole caregiver for her husband.
On February 27, 1960, Dorothy married Jim Hans who preceded her in death after 52 years of marriage. Along with her parents, her brothers Arnold and Melvin Michel, and sister Marilyn Scholz preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother Cletus (Roxan) Michel of Ramona, CA, and sister Geraldine (Jerry) Vanpatten of Fort Branch, IN.
Her family, who miss her deeply include children: Pam (John) Wunderlich of Front Royal, VA, Connie Hans of Sycamore, IL, Beth (Paul) Curran of Wheaton, IL, and Michael (Tami) Hans of Greenwood, IN; grandchildren: Christopher (Lauren) Wunderlich of Mountain View, CA, Daniel Wunderlich of Fort Wayne, IN, Katrina Wunderlich of Pleasanton, CA, and Jenna Hans of Greenwood, IN; great-grandchild Stefan Wunderlich of Mountain View, CA.

Following cremation a memorial service will be held in Fort Branch, IN to be arranged at a later date. Burial will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Fort Branch, IN.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lewey Body Dementia Association, https://www.lbda.org/honor-your-loved-one/ or the Indiana Audubon Society, https://www.indianaaudubon.org.

You are invited to read Dorothy’s obituary at www.stpierrefamilyfuneral.com, where you may sign the guest book and leave a personal message for the family.

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