Dorothea E. Havens

Dorothea Erika Havens loved to be surrounded by her family, loved spending her time being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to the people who brought her life joy. Very caring, and blessed with a great sense of humor, she had also seen enough sadness in her life to make her determined and a bit stubborn in order to make a life for herself and her family. She may not have always been happy, but she was always cheerful.

In 1932, while the United States tried to survive the Great Depression, the people of Germany were experiencing trials of their own. A man by the name of Adolf Hitler had just been made a German citizen - a man who would have a tragic impact on the people and economy of Germany as time went on. For Fritz and Constanzia (Guidos) Marschewski, the biggest impact on their lives that year was the birth of their daughter, Dorothea Erika. Born on August 19, 1932, Dorothea was the fourth of seven children born into the Marschewski family.

Dorothea and her siblings grew up in Danzig, Germany, witnessing many of the events leading up to World War II. In March of 1945, when Russia invaded Germany, Dorothea, her mother, two sisters and youngest brother were moved to German occupied Denmark to get away from the conflict. Two months later, when Germany surrendered, the German refugees in Denmark became prisoners of war. The Marschewskis were sent to a concentration camp where, tragically, Dorothea's mother and sister Erna died. When Dorothea and her siblings were released in 1948, they made there way to Munich, Germany, hoping to start a new life. All during this time, Fritz, Dorothea's father, had served as a soldier in the German Army. With the war over, and with the help of the Red Cross, Dorothea and her father were finally reunited.

But tragedy struck again when two of her brothers died shortly after the war, and her oldest brother disappeared in 1954. Dorothea spent many years searching for her brother, but to no avail.

During the period of Germany's rebuilding, Fritz became acquainted with a U.S. soldier named Wayne Havens, and introduced him to his daughter, Dorothea. The couple was married in Germany on April 27, 1954 and shortly thereafter came to the United States, settling in the Kalamazoo area. When Dorothea came to the United States, she could speak a smattering of seven languages. Unfortunately, one of them was not English. Dorothea tackled this like she tackled everything that life threw at her, and along with learning English, on November 7, 1957, came her greatest achievement. On that day, Dorothea Havens became an American citizen, an event she considered her biggest accomplishment.

Dorothea and Wayne later moved north of Kalamazoo to the Doster area, and finally made their home in the small community of Orangeville, where Dorothea remained the rest of her life. The Havens family was blessed with five wonderful children - Darlene and Diane, who preceded their mother in death, and Karin, Scott and Christy. In 1977 Dorothea and Wayne divorced, but Dorothea's love for her children continued as strong as ever. Wayne passed away in 1991.

Dorothea supported herself and her family by first working at the sanitarium in Plainwell and then as a cashier at the popular Boysen's Market in Martin. This was a job well suited to Dorothea's personality and she remained there for many years until her retirement about 20 years ago.

After her divorce, Dorothea met a gentleman named Harvey Warren. The two were a good match together and became close companions. This special friendship lasted for 24 years until Harvey's death in 2001.

Dorothea had experienced both the good and the bad in her life, and alcoholism became another hurdle to overcome. Six years ago she won that battle, with the help of Carveth Village Assisted Living. After eight months under their care, she was free.

Dorothea enjoyed the simple things in life. She liked the "old time" country music and had traveled to Angola, Indiana several times with her children. This was the home of the Buck Lake Ranch where she got to see singers like Buck Owens and Roy Clark perform. When grandchildren arrived, Dorothea's life was filled with a new happiness. When the grandkids came over to introduce the latest girlfriend or boyfriend, she welcomed every one into her home. For Dorothea, her grandchildren could do no wrong. She always told people that the greatest days of her life were when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were born. It was a wonderful sign that life goes on.

Dorothea did return to Germany - once in 1962 and again in 1972. Unfortunately, she was involved in a serious accident during the second trip. Life was much quieter back home in Orangeville. She loved animals and usually had a dog around the house. She also took in stray cats and kept them fed. Even the birds got special treatment at the feeders in her yard.

What gave Dorothea the greatest joy was sharing herself with her family, offering them the most precious thing she possessed - her time. It is a gift none of her family will ever forget.

Dorothea Erika Havens, age 73 of Orangeville died at her home Monday, February 13, 2006. Learn more about Dorothea, view her Life Story film and visit with her family and friends Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home-RDMG Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams where her service will take place Thursday at 11 a.m. She will be buried in Hillside Cemetery. Dorothea was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Erna, Eckard, Fritz, Albert and Ingrid; in-laws George and Mildred Havens; daughters Darlene and Diane; husband Wayne and her companion of 24 years, Harvey Warren and his son Roy. Members of her family include her children Karin (Clarence) Gray of Mattawan, Scott (Kathy) Havens of Middleville, Christy Havens (Doug Nelle) of Ann Arbor, grandchildren Rob, Michael, Mark, Julie (Mike) Jenni (Eric), Mira and Mason; great- grandchildren, Shelby Noah, Caleb, and Carsen. Dorothea is also survived by Harvey's children Lyle (Wanda) Warren and Liz Warren, grandchildren Lyle Warren, Jr. and Shannon (Tim) Shafer and great-grandchildren Foster, Sarah and Aaliyah. Please visit Dorothea's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory or make a memorial donation to the Orangeville Volunteer Fire Department.