Kathryn Lucille Dobbertien of Marshall

Kathryn Lucille Dobbertien, of Marshall, died on Saturday, September 26, 2020, with her family at her side. Kathryn was born on March 27, 1928, to Harry G. Smith and Esta I. (Amsler) Smith. She and Fred Dobbertien double dated, dating two other people during that date. The next date was with Fred and Kate, and as Kate says, "That was the way it always was after that!". Fred and Kate married on June 8, 1947 at Zion Lutheran Church in Marshall. They had made their home in Marshall together. She worked for Progressive Dynamics, where she retired from in 1985. Kate and Fred enjoyed many hobbies and interests. They rode mopeds together, enjoyed fishing, square dancing and traveling. They enjoyed making and dipping chocolates at Christmas time as a "Dobbertien Family Tradition". Kate and Fred had been members of the Rhythm Squares Square Dancing Club for several years. They spent winters in Florida and stayed at Bradenton, FL for 5 years and then at Ft. Meade for 20 years, until their health made the trip difficult. While wintering in Florida they would team up and make wooden clowns together with Fred building the body and head, and Kate hand sewing the clown outfit. Then off to the craft shows they would go! Kate and Fred were blessed with very full and satisfying retirement years together. Fred preceded Kathryn in death on June 8, 2013. Surviving are their sons, and wives, Larry and Deb Dobbertien and Garry Dobbertien all of Marshall; their grandchildren, Jonathan (Ashley Garms) Dobbertien, Megan (Matt) Waun, and Christina (Lance) Mason; two great-granddaughters, Marley and Selah Waun. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Esta Smith; her brothers, Caddie and Leonard "Bud" Smith; two daughters-in-law, Delores Dobbertien and Mary Dobbertien; and her nephew, Pearl Warner. Friends may visit with the family from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068. A funeral service to celebrate Kate's life will be held at the funeral home at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2020, officiated by Rev. James Codde. The service will be live streamed on the funeral home website at https://www.kempffuneralhome.com. **Due to Covid-19 and in observance of the Governor's Executive Orders, attendees are asked to exercise social distancing and wear a mask or face covering to the visitation and service. Cremation will follow the service and Kate's cremated remains will be interred in Oakridge Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2020. Friends who wish may make memorials to Oaklawn Hospice for their Grief Recovery Program. Assistance with memorials is available at the funeral home or through the funeral home website. To view Kate's on line obituary, sign the guest book, and leave messages for the family please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com.