Dolores A. Alvesteffer

Mrs. Dolores Ann (Rickelmann) Alvesteffer passed on to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, July 9, 2018 after battling cancer with all of her strength and spirit.  She is survived by her loving husband, Donald Joseph Alvesteffer, and all ten of her children: Ed Ryan/Alvesteffer of Rothbury, Jane (Steve) Hostetler of Walkerton, IN, Angela (Tony) Burke of Okemos, Lucy (John) Lewis of Boynton Beach, FL, Philip (Cheryl) Alvesteffer of N. Muskegon, Ted Alvesteffer of Rothbury, Sharon (Arthur) Cory of Norton Shores, Wendy Alvesteffer of Grant, Rick (Elaine) Alvesteffer of Fennville, and Brad (Nicole) Alvesteffer of Zeeland.  She was preceded in death by both parents, brothers Elmer, Bernard, James, and sisters Joan and Ruth.  Surviving siblings are Richard, Norbert, Thomas, and Edwin Rickelmann and her sister Mary Lou Kramer.  Dolores is also survived by 16 grandchildren, many nieces and nephews (50+), and many cousins. 

Dolores was born at home in Ann Arbor to Andrew Rickelmann and Bertha (Rebman) Rickelmann.  She grew up at 514 Pauline and completed high school at St. Thomas the Apostle High School (Renamed: Gabriel Richard HS).  She then met her husband Don at the JJ Ranch in Rothbury, and within a short time was married at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church of Ann Arbor.  They settled in Hart, MI, for a year and then moved to Rothbury, MI, where they would reside for the remainder of their lives. 

Dolores was a devout Catholic and very active in her church community, serving on the Altar Society and countless other volunteer tasks at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Rothbury.  She helped with Home & School at St. James Catholic School in Montague while her children attended there.  Dolores was also involved with the Rothbury Village Council, 4-H Leadership, and Quilt Guild.

Dolores truly enjoyed swimming and beaches---the Lake Michigan beach in particular; even until the end of her battle, she would sneak out for quiet times, enjoying many sunsets.  She often remarked it was primarily the Lake Michigan beach that kept her on the west side of the state.  Free time for Dolores was often spent knitting, crocheting, or quilting; she was well known for her many beautiful quilts.  Dolores enjoyed sports---especially University of Michigan football because her childhood home was mere blocks from the Ann Arbor Stadium. Above all, she most cherished her roles as a mother and grandmother.

Visitation for Dolores will be held Wednesday, July 11th, 5-8 pm at ­­­­­­­­­­­Harris Funeral Home in Shelby and the Rosary will be recited Wednesday at 7:30 pm at the funeral home.  Visitation will also be held, Thursday, July 12th beginning at 10 am at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Rothbury and the Funeral Mass will follow Thursday at 11 am  at the church with Father Peter Omogo as Celebrant.  Her permanent resting place will be at Our Lady of the Assumption Cemetery in Rothbury, Michigan.  Memorials may be directed to Harbor Hospice, 1050 W. Western Avenue, Suite 400, Muskegon, MI  49441 or Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church Altar Society, 3000 Winston Road, Rothbury, MI  49452.

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