Dolores “Dee” Ruth Whalen, 86 years old, of Hart, passed away Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 peacefully surrounded by family. She was born April 18th, 1938, in East Leroy, Michigan, the daughter of John and Vivian (Crane) Wygant.

Dee grew up on a farm with her many brothers and sisters. She graduated from high school in Marshall, Michigan. She then attended Nursing School at W.A. Foote Hospital in Jackson Michigan which would lead to a life of caring for others. Dee met her future husband Dan, a State Trooper, while she was working as an RN in the Emergency Department at a hospital in Battle Creek. After dating for six months, they were married on May 12th, 1962. Through several moves, Dee continued to work in various hospitals in Battle Creek, Bad Axe, Mt. Pleasant, Sandusky, and Hart. Dee and Dan loved Hart, Michigan, and decided to settle down and raise a family there. The remainder of her career was spent working at the Oceana Hospital until it closed and then working for Dr. Barker.

After her retirement in 2000, Dee continued to help others by baby sitting and working as a substitute at the Hart Preschool. Dee spent hours volunteering for the Hart Library with her daughter-in-law Amy while helping children with arts and crafts. She enjoyed crafting and creating scrapbooks for her children and grandchildren.  

Dee loved to go camping with Dan and their family. She spent hours sitting around the fire pit at their home enjoying “Dan’s Country Wine” and talking about “The Medium Days”. She played several hands of Rummy daily with Dan, and Dan will admit she was the better player. She was an excellent cook and no one ever left her home hungry. Her family was her life and she will be deeply missed.

Dee is survived by: her husband of 62 years, Daniel Whalen; children, Kathleen (Mark) Timmer, John Whalen, Patrick (Cori) Whalen; grandchildren, Kayla (Chance) Vineyard-Crouch, Lindsey (Weston) Conrado, Cody (Stacey Keith) Whalen, Carli Whalen, Chase Whalen; great-grandchild, Mason Conrado; brother, John (Janet) Wygant, sister, Donna (John) Robinson and brother Merwin (Sharla) Wygant. 

Dee was preceded in death by: parents, John and Vivian Wygant; sisters, Phyllis (Herman) Aldrich; Beverly (Raymond) Hughes; Sharon (Raymond) McClure; Charlotte Wygant, brother David (Dolores) Wygant and daughter-in-law Amy Whalen.

A Memorial service will be conducted at 12 noon, Friday, June 14th, 2024, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Avenue, Shelby, Michigan 49455, with Visitation taking place from 11 am until 12 noon prior to the service. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at Harris Funeral Home. Interment will be held at Hart Cemetery, 3917 W. Main Street, Hart, Michigan 49420, at 3:30 pm following the luncheon.​

Please consider memorial contributions to:  Hart Public Library, 415 S State St, Hart, MI 49420.

Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com