Dorothy E. Vredenburg, age 91 of Stanwood, passed away on January 7, 2012 at Altercare of Big Rapids. Dorothy was born on May 12, 1920 to Lauritz and Margrethe (Neilsen) Jensen in Proctor, Minnesota. In 1924, Dorothy's family moved to a farm on the east side of Stanwood where she was raised along with her siblings. When she was able Dorothy attended the Free Methodist Church in Stanwood and was a member of the Stanwood Eagles Auxiliary. Dorothy spent her life being a homemaker, wife and Mother to her family. She also enjoyed a couple of part-time jobs in later years. She was a substitute cook for the Morley-Stanwood Community Schools and a prep cook for the Country House Restaurant in Big Rapids. Dorothy often entertained her family and friends by playing her harmonica which she played from the age of 7. In the last twenty or so years, Dorothy enjoyed baking and sharing her cookies and rhubarb cakes with friends and family. On June 25 1938, Dorothy married the love of her life Arthur "Reo" Vredenburg in Stanwood. They went on to share sixty-five years together until Reo's passing in 2003. During their life they were blessed with six sons and one daughter. Surviving Dorothy are four sons, Jim (Linda) Vredenburg of Stanwood, Emil (Uli) Vredenburg of Concorde, Roger (June) Vredenburg of Comstock Park, and Foster (Carla) Vredenburg of Chippewa Lake; one daughter, Sally Russell of Stanwood and daughter-in-law Elsie Vredenburg. Dorothy was also blessed with 10 Grandchildren, 21 Great Grandchildren and 4 Great Great Grandchildren. Dorothy is also survived by one brother, Bob (Betty) Jensen of Stanwood, one sister Alice Bigelow of Morley and one sister-in-law Luella Jensen of Big Rapids. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Reo in 2003 at the age of 87, Donald, her eldest son, in 1998 at the age of 59, Erwin, her fourth son, in 1947 at age of 18 months and Phil Russell her son-in law in 2011 at age 66. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Pastor Ron White officiating. She will be laid to rest at Stanwood Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Tuesday, January 10th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to a charity of your choice in Dorothy's name. Share a memory or leave a condolence at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com