Dorothy Hart (Kiessel) Litzer

Dorothy Hart Litzer, 88, of Harbor Springs, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family. Dorothy was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana to her parents, Edward J. Kiessel and Helen Mitchell Kiessel. She attended Roosevelt High school in Ypsilanti, MI, as well as Western Michigan University and Eastern Michigan studying finance and accounting. Dorothy married James Lee Hart in September 1957. They raised four children together in Ypsilanti and then Saline Michigan. Using her accounting background, she was keeping books for her husband’s company, Midwestern Consulting, Inc. for many years. In 1975, she started working for McNaughton & Gunn in Saline as a part-time bookkeeper. Within three years, Dorothy rose to the position of Vice President of Administration and Finance and had become a partner in the company. She credited Bob McNaughton and Jack Briegel for being forward thinking enough to support having a woman partner, a rarity in those days. In 1992, Dorothy lost her husband, Jim, to cancer and was devastated. A friend and business associate, Bob Litzer of Millcraft Paper, had lost his wife to cancer too. The two provided support for one another and were married in November 1993. They retired to Harbor Springs and spent many happy years traveling as well as renovating their lovely old farmhouse built in 1885. Dorothy was a Master Gardener, designing and maintaining extensive gardens at their home, as well as being an active member of the Harbor Springs Garden Club for many years. Dorothy was also active in many local philanthropic organizations in the Harbor Springs Community.

“The Path Will Make Itself Known” was the guiding philosophy of Dorothy Hart Litzer throughout her entire life. She was an eternal optimist who met the challenges of dealing with her disease process, Primary Progressive Aphasia, with dignity and grace until the end. Dorothy devoted her retirement years continuing to be an amazing wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother to the loves of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Jim, and sister Barbara.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Robert Jerome Litzer; beloved daughter and private duty nurse Janis Hart Bishop of Harbor Springs MI; sons James K. Hart II of Saline, MI, Glen (Kitty) Hart of Louisville, KY, John (Donna) Hart of San Diego, CA, Laura Litzer Frank (Larry) of Canton, NY, Timothy Litzer of Jackson, MI, Shawn Litzer of Bowling Green, OH; grandchildren and their spouses, Carter & Evann Bishop (Charlotte & Catherine) of Traverse City, MI, Cody & Emily Kaminski (Mason & Benjen) of Jackson, MI, Spencer Bishop & Adriana Dixon of Harbor Springs, MI, James K. Hart III of Saline, MI, Joseph Lee Hart & Keeley Zabel (Lark & Mina) of Clinton, MI, Alyssa Hart of Austin, TX, George Frank of Canton, NY, Ethan Frank of Chicago, IL, Cody Litzer of Jackson, MI, Hailey Litzer (Javon) of Plymouth, MI, Katie Litzer (Ava) of Sylvania, OH, Mary Litzer Cook (Arrow & Moses) of Manassas, VA, Isabella Litzer of Toledo, OH, and Joseph Litzer of Bowling Green, OH. Dorothy is also survived by her beloved brother, Richard (Nancy) Kiessel of Roscommon, MI, as well as many nieces & nephews and their children.

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful caring support Dorothy received from McLaren Home Hospice RN, Jessica, and Medical Assistant, Shannon. Your reassuring presence was greatly appreciated.

A memorial service will be held at a later date to honor and celebrate her life.

Donations made in her memory may be made out to the Harbor Springs Garden Club at www.harborspringsgardenclub.org. Or HSGC, P.O. Box 201, Harbor Springs, MI, 49740.

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