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ESCANABA -- Dolores F. McRae, 85, of Escanaba, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully the morning of October 6, 2026 surrounded by her family after an ongoing battle of cancer and dementia.
Dolores was born on December 27, 1940 in Menominee Michigan, the middle daughter of Francis "Sonny" Kaltenbach and Audrey (Barofsky) Kaltenbach.
She graduated from Menominee High School where she was a cheerleader, cheering on her favorite sports teams and playing the Saxophone in the band.
On September 19, 1987 she married the love of her life, Lawrence "Larry" A. McRae at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Dolores was a hardworking woman who took on many roles at Michigan Bell in Escanaba. Starting as an operator of the telephone company and ending in the Marquette offices. She retired in 2004.
Dolores enjoyed many things and was very active in her retired years. You could always find her at line dancing, getting a cup of coffee afterwards which turned into ice cream dates with the girls, at yoga class, on a walk down Ludington St., or deep in her flower beds. She was the biggest fan of the Packers, Brewers, and Bucks. And most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her treasured granddaughter Brooke Bernier. You could always find "Grammy" and Brooke at the park, playing school, dancing around the kitchen table, or singing their own songs together.
Dolores is survived by her daughter Doreen (Mason) Bernier of Appleton, WI, her favorite son-in-law Dave Bernier, and her pride and joy Brooke Bernier.
In addition to her parents, Dolores was preceded in death by her husband Larry, son Darren Mason, brother Ronald Kaltenbach, and sister Wanda (Kaltenbach) Fiferak.
As Dolores always sang to Brooke as she pushed her on the swings "up into the sky she goes, up into the sky she goes, with the jet planes, with the jet planes", Brooke is now singing it to her as her grandma returns up into the clouds, "with the jet planes."
Visitation will be on Monday, October 19 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. with Pastor Len Gilley officiating. She will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband at Lakeview Cemetery. A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting crawfordfuneralhomes.net The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.
