SOUTHWEST HARBOR AND NAPLES, Fla. – Dorothy Ann Wildermuth Vekasi passed away Aug. 28, 2007, of natural causes. Dottie was born Jan. 4, 1926, in Gary, Ind., to architect Joe Henry and Madeleine Wildermuth. She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Michael, in 2003, after which she gave up their Naples, Fla., home in Imperial Estates and moved to Bentley Village. Her summer home was in Southwest Harbor. She was educated at Horace Mann High School, Gary, Ind., and the University of Wisconsin, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and affiliated with Delta Gamma sorority. She married Michael, a Purdue University graduate, in 1947. They settled near Grand Rapids, Mich., their home for more than 30 years, where he established a successful business. They were active members of Cascade Christian Church and their three sons graduated from Cascade and Forest Hills schools. They maintained life long close friendships and associations from both Gary, Ind., and Grand Rapids, Mich. In 1981, Dottie and Mike moved to Florida with Mike’s expanding businesses. They were active members of First Presbyterian Church and Imperial Country Club. The last 25 years of her life, Dottie became engrossed with family genealogy, taking her records to a professional level of thoroughness and accuracy. More recently, she wrote and published her memoir, “To You with Love,” including vivid stories of her childhood, coming of age, and family years, abundantly illustrated. It has been read with interest and pleasure by friends and family. Dottie is survived by sons, James M. Vekasi and his wife, Mary L. (Holcombe) Vekasi, and their daughters, Sarah and Kristin, David L. Vekasi of Palm Harbor, Fla., and his wife, Pama (Belcher Sullivan) Vekasi, and his children, Katy Vekasi DeCarolis and Joseph and one grandchild, Dominick; and Dr. William H. Vekasi of Knoxville, Tenn., and his wife, Debra (Schneider) Vekasi, and their children, Andrea Vekasi Hagood, Alison and Michael, and two grandchildren, Natalie and Benjamin. Dorothy was also predeceased by her brother, Richard L. Wildermuth, architect, of East Lyme, Conn., in 1989. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Cascade Christian Church. Interment will take place after in the family plot at Cascade Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Headache Foundation, 820 North Orleans, Suite 217, Chicago, IL 60610-3132, a source of information and support to her during a long battle with pain.
DOROTHY ANN WILDERMUTH VEKASI
