Dorothy Emmert

Dorothy Herak Witt Emmert, 88, of South Haven and formerly of Bangor, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2015, in her apartment at River Ridge Retirement Village. She was born March 24, 1927, in Oglesby, Illinois, daughter of the late George and Matilda [Vidakovich] Herak but was raised by her mother and her second father, Milan (Michael) Sablan. In 1945 she married Lt. Robert Henry Witt who passed away unexpectedly shortly thereafter. In 1948, she married John Price Emmert, a union of 53 years. Dorothy was an accomplished businesswoman who began packing blueberries on her ironing board in the family garage in 1953 and watched the business grow to over one million pounds of packed berries yearly appearing in the produce sections of grocery stores throughout the Midwest. She ended her business career as Vice President of Emmert Transfer Co. But she probably took greater satisfaction from her role as the maven of social occasions, planning dinners, holiday celebrations, and parties for her family and friends at her Arlington Street home in Bangor. Each event was preceded by weeks of planning not only a delectable menu but its presentation. To the end, her children continued to call her and ask exactly how she made that strudel, or kieflias, or cole slaw, or Goop! Dorothy was a member of the First Congregational Church of Bangor, and a life-time member of the Bangor Historical Society. Dorothy cared for her family immensely, and she expressed that love by throwing a party for each one whenever she could. She is survived by her six children: Susan [and Tim] of Rancho Santa Fe, California; Dick [and Ginger] of New Hartford, New York; Bob [and Linda] of Bangor; Bonnie [and Bob] of South Deerfield, Massachusetts; Chuck [and Amy] of Elsie, Michigan; and Amy [and Ed] of Rutland, Vermont; and five grandchildren [Wendy, Timothy, Craig, Kelley and Lizzie]; and three great granddaughters [Olivia, Georgia, and Reece]. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; two grandchildren [Patrick and Alison]; her brother Dan and sister Rose Marie. The family wishes to thank Hospice at Home, the staff of River Ridge Retirement Village for their cheerful and expert care, and especially Dorothy’s devoted companion, Pat Lamp. The family will meet friends 11-1PM Friday, at the First Congregational Church of Bangor where the funeral services will be at 1 pm with Chuck Emmert officiating. In lieu of flowers please kindly consider a donation to The First Congregational Church of Bangor, Hospice at Home, Bangor Historical Society, or throwing a party for a loved one in Dorothy’s memory.

Dorothy Emmert

March 24, 1927 - August 16, 2015