Dorothy M. Cox

Dorothy was born in Munising on February 7, 1926, to Winfield “Dutch” and Josephine (LaMuth) Steinhoff. She was a 1945 graduate of William G. Mather High School. At 19 years old, Dorothy moved to Pontiac for a short time where she worked at the Yellow Truck & Coach Co. that made amphibious ducks that go in the water. Her job on the assembly line was to pull down a machine that screwed screws into the back of the seats, deeming the term Rosie the Riveter. On her return home to Munising, she would ride the train from Detroit to the dock at Mackinaw City as there was no Mackinac Bridge at the time, took the ferry across and back on the train to Munising. She met and married William A. Cox Jr. in 1948. They had been married two days short of 60 years when Bill passed away in 2008.

Dorothy was very active raising her six children and keeping a comfortable home. She and Bill enjoyed snowmobiling, traveling to Las Vegas, Canada, canoe trips down the Indian River, camping and taking rides together. Bill always said that Dorothy was a great traveling companion.

Dorothy went to work for Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company in 1967 where she worked as a secretary in the woodlands department, a position she held until she retired in 1992. Even with her busy life, Dorothy found time for her passion of bowling. She began her bowling career at age 17 and kept on going for 57 years, traveling to tournaments with her sister Pat and fellow bowlers, winning many trophies, awards and setting records as a woman bowler in Munising.

Dorothy was very much in her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great grandchildren’s lives, always being there for sporting events, school concerts, and anything they were involved in. In 1999, she traveled to Germany to visit her granddaughter Heather who was stationed there with the United States Air Force. It was a once in a lifetime trip that she carried fond memories of.

Dorothy loved to cook and bake, and she enjoyed sharing her time with the family and teaching them how to make toffee, pasty pies, her famous strawberry jam, and many other recipes that her loved ones will cherish. It was a great joy for her.

Even at 93, she was as sharp as ever and could remember and tell stories about her life growing up in “BA.” She was just as interested in your life, never missing a birthday or anniversary of anyone. She always looked forward to visits with family and friends, and always thanked you for coming. She kept a stash of $1 bills to give to the great grandchildren for their report cards, good deeds, or for just being a good boy or girl. She kept Sunny D and Junior Mints for the little ones. A memory they will remember with love. She lovingly kept a basket full of candy in her room for everyone to enjoy. Dorothy was a thoughtful, devoted, caring, kind, selfless, and all around wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her children Daryl (Laurie) Cox, JoAnn (Hans) Baij, Rhonda (Ed) Juranek, Laurie Cadwell, Judy (Tim) Spaulding, daughter-in-law Michelle (Mike Draze) Cox; grandchildren William (Sherri) Cox IV, Heather (Michael) Abney, Eric (Shannon) Cox, Jessica Cox, Brett (Karen) Baij, Janssen (Amber) Baij, Karin Baij, Chris Beauchamp, Lynsey Beauchamp, Jesse (Katrina) Cadwell, Kyle Cadwell, Amanda (Kyle) Connaughton, Angela Tripp, 24 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law Carol Steinhoff.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Bill Jr., son Bill III, grandson Brandon Spaulding, sister Patricia Kochis Haro, brothers Winfield “Chum” and Gerald “Pug” Steinhoff; in-laws Pete Kochis, Joseph Haro, and Sally Steinhoff. Also preceding her in death were her mother and father in-law William Sr. and Ida Cox, sisters-in-law Louise (Jack) Tiernan, Ella (Sis) Cox, Ruth Cox, brothers-in-law Tom (Pat) Cox, Harold Cox, James (RuthAnn) Cox.

A memorial service will be held sometime next year.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to MediLodge and staff for their excellent care and compassion given to their mom and her visitors as well. She loved your visits to her room and considered you family.

We are so blessed to have had her in our lives for so long.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.comen.com