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ESCANABA -- On Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the age of 100 and with her three daughters around her, Dorothy Mae Olsen passed away peacefully while in the loving care of Family Crest Living. Dorothy Mae Bilodeau was born in Menominee, Michigan on April 23, 1926 to Philip and Alice (Fabry) Bilodeau. She graduated from Menominee HS and married Harold T. Olsen on March 29, 1946. The pair moved to Escanaba in 1950 where she became the consummate homemaker, raising their three daughters.
She was an avid reader, talented cook and baker, and legendary rye bread maker. She loved playing (and winning) cards, knitting, sewing (one of the few times she was known to swear), painting, and fiercely cheering on the Packers (ok, this was one of the other times she swore). She loved to travel, and truly treasured visits with the Krahs, her sister's family of whom she was particularly fond. She was a past member of the Ladies Lions Club, Home Extension, the Sew and Sews, and regularly volunteered for St Francis Hospital Auxiliary and the Escanaba Public Library. She faithfully attended every event possible for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren-and especially enjoyed going to their sporting events and plays. Even until earlier this year, she was a member of the Ladies of the Bluff Book Club and played weekly dominoes with her very dear friends. Dorothy was the epitome of a matriarch, weaving her eclectic talents together to create a strong, dedicated, fun-loving and humble family full of spirit, humor, and most of all: love. She taught others the importance of showing up, being present, the power of thoughtfulness, and how to find humor in life's foibles. She consistently sent thank you notes, birthday cards, and letters. She had an optimism, energy, and vivacious love of life that is evident in everything and everyone she encountered. She had a talent for making people feel welcome, seen, and special. To know Dorothy is to love her. She will be deeply missed.
Surviving Dorothy are her three daughters, Lynn Pritchard, Diane (Jim)Trepanier, Nancy (Dave Kallio) Olsen; four grandchildren, Jodi (Mayra) Heard, Kristi (Todd) Vitito, Natalie (Eric) Gray, and Irene (Philip) Darlington; seven great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren; many special nieces and nephews; and Jane and Dale Kwarciany who as her neighbors, soon became family. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold; younger sister, Jane Krah; brother-in-law, John Krah; son in law, Michael Pritchard; and grandson, Jason Trepanier.
The family wants to give heartfelt thanks to Kristy Dumas and the staff at Family Crest for the incredibly kind and loving care they gave Dorothy in her last few months.
A Celebration of Life for Dorothy will be held on Sunday, October 25 at Crawford Funeral Home from 2-5 p.m., with remembrances beginning at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, any memorial donations may be made to U.P. Health System Home Care and Hospice, the Escanaba Library, or the Delta County Animal Shelter. A message of condolence may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The arrangements are in the care of the Crawford Funeral Homes.
