Dolores Lawson

Dolores Lawson lived a vibrant life filled with many milestones and joys, but she viewed her greatest accomplishment as her family. She was a stylish dresser, a gracious hostess, and a devoted mother who, like a ray of sunshine, brightened the days of all those around her with the colorful facets of her personality. Dolores was a bundle of energy who left behind a legacy of compassion and love that will be forever cherished.

The 1920’s were a period unlike any other in the world of women’s fashion. Called the “Flapper Age,” women wore long, straight skirts with no waistline and their hair was nearly hidden under a cloches hat. Nathan and Hattie (Fryling) Weed, of Kalamazoo, Michigan were preparing for their own unprecedented event as well; as Hattie was due to give birth to their first child at any time. They were indeed blessed on November 10, 1928 with the birth of their healthy daughter, Dolores. Dolores and her four younger siblings grew up near Texas Corners, located in southwest Michigan in Kalamazoo county, on 40 acres of farm land in a home that had no running water or bathroom. Dolores had a pleasant childhood and as a student, she attended a country school until she was in the seventh grade, at which time she transferred to Mattawan High School and later became part of the graduating class of 1945. What was most exciting during this time, however, was her introduction to an intriguing young man named Earl Lawson.

The year 1943 was a year in which a blind date between Dolores and Earl marked the beginning of a love story between them which would span more than 60 years. Although they were separated physically when Earl was called to serve his country, they corresponded through letters written to each other daily, more deeply solidifying their love for each other. A new chapter in their lives began when they were united in marriage on October 27, 1948 at Bethany Reformed Church in Kalamazoo. The newlyweds settled in Lawton, Michigan where they spent what would be their entire married life.

Dolores and Earl were blessed with the birth of four children: Ken, Nancy, Bob, and Connie. Dolores embraced her role as a mother, nurturing and caring for her children while her husband worked to support their family. There were times that Dolores worked a few part time jobs; she was interested in the medical profession and worked for Dr. Heersma for a time and she also worked at Welch’s during the pressing season. Dolores and her husband Earl founded the Lawson Oil Company in Lawton in 1964, and although she was very active in this business as well, her family was always her first priority.

In addition to working and raising her children, Dolores found time to pursue some things that were of interest to her as well. She loved shopping and was always a snappy dresser, right down to her matching shoes, purses, and accessories. Dolores even found some of her treasures on the various shopping channels and was in all her glory when she visited the Mall of America in Minnesota. She enjoyed dancing; early in their marriage Dolores and Earl would go out dancing once a week. Dolores enjoyed watching the Ed Sullivan show and Lawrence Welk on television, but she always had lots of energy and also enjoyed bowling and was an active member at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Together, Dolores and Earl provided their children with many opportunities to make memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. They were one of the first families to have a backyard pool during the early sixties. In the eighties, they purchased a family cottage on Cedar Lake, located south of Lawton. This cottage became a gathering place for family members through the years and was the setting for many delightful memories as well. Traveling was an activity that Dolores and Earl enjoyed together, often to visit relatives on both the east and west coasts. Sometimes they took speed boat trips along big rivers such as the Mississippi, where a great time was had by all. Holidays and various special occasions were extraordinary times at the Lawson home as Dolores was a gracious hostess, often including extended family in the mix as well.

Later in life, Dolores remained active in her pursuits of additional interests, many of them with Earl. She embraced her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother and poured herself into these children just as she had with her own. Dolores and Earl purchased a condo in Longboat Key, Florida during the late eighties where they enjoyed spending some winters throughout the years. In 1994, Earl and Dolores sold their oil company to their son and son-in-law, although Dolores still played a semi active role in the business through the year 2007. Staying true to form, Dolores was by the sides of both of her sons-in- law as they each battled with cancer.

Dolores Lawson was a delightful woman with an incredible zest for life who always carried herself with graciousness and compassion. She often set aside her own needs to tend to the needs of others in ways both big and small. In retrospect, Dolores recognized that as a parent, she may not have always done things the right way; she even stated that “you have the least experience for the biggest job of your life,” but she was a dedicated mother who gave her children the thing they needed most, her unconditional love. Dolores left behind a lifetime of memories that will be forever cherished by those she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed.

Dolores Ann Lawson, of Lawton, MI, died on December 30, 2008 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. Dolores’s family includes her husband Earl, four children; Ken (Judy) Lawson of Texas Township, Nancy McCorry, Bob (Debbie) Lawson, Connie Knapp all of Lawton, 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren (and 2 more on the way!), one brother and three sisters; Sheldon (Doris) Weed of Kalamazoo, Barbara (Jerry) Whipple of Mattawan, Lois (Bob) Pease of Lawton, Linda (Steve) Stozicki of Lawton and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 son-in-laws; James McCorry, Alan Knapp, one niece, Jill Pease. Visit with Dolores’s family and friends Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 60900 M-40 657-3870. A service to honor her life will be held Monday 11 a.m. at the Funeral Home. Interment Oak Grove Cemetery, Lawton. Food and Fellowship will follow at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Lawton. Please visit Dolores’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign her guest book, share a memory or make a memorial contribution to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.