Dorla Jean Woodward – AGE 91 – Otsego, MI Watson Township
On December 24, 2021, at the home of her beloved daughter, Glenda, Dorla Jean Woodward passed
peacefully from this world. On January 24, 1930, the world welcomed Dorla Jean Larson to life. She was
born to Emil and Lilly (Nelson) Larson, little sister to Dale, in Mancelona, MI. Unfortunately, Lilly, Dorla’s
mom, passed away when Dorla was a toddler. Father Emil had sisters and sisters-in-law in Kansas and
Nebraska who Dorla lived with for a period of time in her youth. Young Dorla learned farm life and how
to take care of family. She was also lucky enough to spend time in her beloved Mancelona. Dorla
enjoyed being a kid, sledding, skating, and following her brother everywhere. When she was a teenager,
the family moved to Otsego, MI. Jean, as she would be called, made a life in Otsego but would always
call Mancelona home. In Otsego, Dorla would meet and start a family with Rex D. Woodward
(deceased). Rex brought to the family three children from a previous marriage, Sue (Ken) Keene, Patti
(Tom) Rolfe and Mike (Nancy) Wood-ward. Rex would adopt Jean’s daughter, Toni. The Woodward clan
would later welcome Robin R. Woodward and the baby, Glenda (Dick) Guerrant. Jean was a true woman
of the greatest generation. She could do anything she set her mind to do. The family would foster babies
awaiting adoption. Jean went to beauty school and worked in downtown Kalamazoo as a hairdresser for
years. She would also work as a cook at the local hospital. Rex and Jean would eventually move to the
farm in Watson Township. Jean was an excellent cook, seamstress, bowler, horseshoe enthusiast and
horse- woman. She especially loved gardening. Jean was a self-taught master gardener who could grow
anything anywhere! Flowers were her passion. As the children grew, the grandchildren would arrive.
Jean’s other passion was being a grandma. There were always children at the farm. Jean always had
something up her sleeve for the grandkids to do from tomato fights to Easter egg hunts. She and Rex
became a part of the Martins Lions Club, mowing local cemetery grounds, working the weekly bingo
night and hosting many, many pool parties. Jean made the farm a magical place for everyone. She
naturally knew how to make everyone feel loved, accepted, and special. She was the epitome of a pillar
of a family: loving, strong, wise, and fun. The grandchildren would play-fully bicker about who was her
favorite. She would always smile and say they all were. As time went by, the great-grandchildren started
to arrive. At the end of the last century, Rex would be called home. The new millennium would bring
about a new love, Jack Witt. They would spend 21 years together building memories and laughter. Jean
would come to love and be loved by Jack’s children. She would become grandma and & Papa Jean to
Jack’s grandchildren. Jean and Jack had lovely twilight years together. They enjoyed eating breakfast
out, going on day trips or tinkering at home – Jack in the garage and Jane in her beautiful, peaceful
flower gardens. Jean Woodward will forever be missed by her loving family. She was mom and grandma
to all. She taught all how to love and respect all creatures, great and small. She loved all her children
whether biological or bonus. Jean was one of a kind. She leaves a legacy of love, kindness, wisdom, and
lots and lots of grandchildren and flowers. Preceding her in death is Rex (husband), Toni (daughter),
Robin (son), Sue (daughter), Mike (son), Dale Larson (brother) and Ron Larson (nephew). Mourning her
passing are her chil-dren: Patti (Tom) Rolfe, Nancy Holmes, and Glenda (Dick) Guerrant. Bonus children:
Leann Ciecilski, Damon (Lynn) Witt, Alex (Liz) Witt, Marcella (Cliff) Jenkins. Adoring grandchildren:
Wendy (Mike) Chamberlin, John (Jeannie) Handelsman, Anne (Tom) Alyward, Aimee (Dean) Kolstead,
John Thomasma, Cheryl (Jeff) Mocslein, Karen (Al) Bowling, Kimmy Keene, Tami (Bob) Curry, Jay
Woodward, Jeff Holmes, Traci (Rick) Walker, Laura Guerrant, Lisa Alli, Pete (Suzanne) Augusine, John
(Lisa) Augustine, Nikki Woodward, Michele Woodward, Emily Guer-rant, Rich (Sara) Guerrant, Mike
(Rinda) Guerrant, Lori Larson and Roger Larson. Bonus grandchildren: Aimee (Brad) Harrington, Dillon
Witt, Alicia (Mark) Lee, Kendra (Justin) Gregory, Zena Enos, Trinity Enos, Aven Witt and Addison Witt.
Great-grandchildren a-plenty! Great-great-grandchildren the number is growing daily! Contributions
may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice. Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 23, 2022, at
Emerald Park, 318 Cross Oaks Dr., Plainwell, MI from 2-5pm
