Barbara Jane Dotterrer

Traverse City – Barbara Jane Dotterrer, 92, of Traverse City, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2020 in peace at her home with family members present.

Barb was born on Friday March 11, 1927 in Detroit Michigan the second child to Doris May Ednie (Everly) and Robert Bruce Ednie. Barb graduated from Mackenzie High School in Detroit in June 1944, after which she obtained a B.S. in Education from Wayne State University in 1948. Following graduation from Wayne State, Barb taught elementary school and was involved in various community and social activities through her devoted association with the Nardin Park Church congregation in Detroit.
On Thursday, February 12, 1949, Barb married the love of her life Charles Milton Dotterrer in Detroit. They were married for 67 years, preceded in death by her long-time husband Chuck in September 2016. Together with Chuck, Barb raised four sons, and had four grandchildren and three great grandsons.

Barb continued to provide instruction as an elementary school substitute following the birth of her sons, but later focused her energies on the rearing and development of the family and caring for elderly family members. She was active in community activities throughout her adult life, serving as a member on various local school and government boards. In this capacity, she demonstrated her dedication and talent for working with others to improve the state of matters before her, and preserve the natural beauty of the world she lived in.

Barb was known for being self-sufficient from her early adult age, negotiating the streets of Detroit and working at the J.L Hudson store on Michigan Avenue. Never shy, but always gracious, Barb did not hesitate to offer an opinion to those she encountered, whether corporate executives at Ford Motor Co., where her husband Chuck was employed for 36 years, or political representatives on means to change the status quo to improve life for everyone.

A lover of the outdoors and the natural beauty that surrounded her, Barb spent summers during her youth on the Manitoulin Islands hiking and fishing with her father Robert and the Ednie clan members that had made the island their home. With Chuck, and as a mother of four, she maintained a cottage in northern Michigan where she continued her relationship with the beauty of nature and hosted many friends and family to share in this enjoyment.

Barb is survived by her sons, John of Palm Beach, William of Denver, Robert of Traverse City, and James (Jill) of Waterford. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Bruce (Heid) of Boulder, Duncan (Alicia) of Lakewood Colorado, Kyle of Augusta, and Devon of Greenville, along with great-grandchildren Julian of Lakewood, Leo of Lakewood, and Arlo of Lafayette Colorado.

Visitation was held at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on February 9, 2020 and services were held at Central United Methodist Church on February 10, 2020, officiated by Pastor Dale Ostema. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Please share your memories of Barb by visiting her online tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .