Dori Bosch

Although she accomplished so much of which to be proud, Dori Bosch was a humble woman whose greatest source of pride and joy was her beloved family. She devoted her life to helping others whether her family, her friends, or fellow business associates. Dori made a significant impact in the community she called home throughout much of her life, and her fingerprints will forever lace the real estate industry in the Kalamazoo area. Alongside the love of her life, Dori traveled the world over, but she was happiest when gathered with family for traditions both great and small. Life will never be the same without Dori here, but the timeless legacy she leaves behind will continue on through the lives of the generations who follow her.

The decade of the 1930s was very much defined by the Great Depression. With a soaring unemployment rate, people were left to do whatever they could to make ends meet, even if it meant packing up and moving clear across the country. It was during this trying time in our nation’s history that Dori was welcomed into the world by her mother, Nellie Marguerite (Waffle) Lind, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Most of Dori’s childhood was spent in Coldwater, Michigan, where she was a student at local schools. Joined in her family by her sister, Julianne, her grandparents were a significant part of her life during her younger years, and she enjoyed being on the farm and gathering vegetables. Dori also liked spending time with her cousin at the Waffle farm. She went on to graduate from Coldwater High School. Dori continued her education at Michigan State, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree. Later in life, once her children were grown, she went back to Western Michigan University and received her Master’s Degree in Home Economics.

Not to be forgotten during Dori’s years in college was her introduction to the man who would change the course of her life forever. His name was Jerry Carlson, and together they were blessed with three children: Shari, Scott, and Caryn. Although they later divorced, Dori was forever grateful for the children they shared.

As a mother Dori’s children compare her to June Cleaver as she ran a tight ship at home and always made sure that her children were well cared for, properly mannered, and experienced plenty of family traditions. Because Dori was happiest when her feet were in the sand with a beverage in her hand with her family nearby, South Haven was one of her favorite destinations. Christmas Eve was such a special time for Dori and her family, and as they grew older her children looked forward to spending it at her house. She even hand-stitched all the stockings for her grandchildren, too. Dori instilled within her children invaluable lessons such as cocktail etiquette and social graces along with the importance of putting family first, accepting others, extending unconditional love, and surrounding yourself with not only family but with friends as well. She taught her children how to be a genuine friend and to be eloquent as well.

New and exciting days were in store for Dori when she met Jack Bosch, who was also divorced. Their first date was rather low key as it was at the Dog n Suds. There were more dates, and with a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Dori and Jack were married on February 22, 1974. She was insistent upon their two families getting to know one another, and she thought that a two week vacation in South Haven would be perfect for such an occasion. This became an annual event that everyone looked forward to as it was a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and just enjoy being together as a big family. Each year priceless memories were made during this time away in August.

Jack owned his own real estate company and was very active at the state level in his profession, and Dori jumped right in to make sure that Jack was well polished and organized for important functions. She truly enjoyed going to the real estate conventions. Dori later became a real estate broker herself and then owned the Real Estate Academy where she helped aspiring agents pass their exams. This was a great fit as Dori was passionate about her work. Aside from her family, this was one of her proudest accomplishments. Because she and Jack were both so highly involved in the area real estate market, they were honored to have a room named after them at The Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors.

In her free time, Dori was always on the go. She was very outgoing and social and loved going out, and she was also a gracious hostess who liked planning events and parties. In everything she did, Dori was a classy lady who was always dressed for the occasion. She and Jack were world travelers. In addition to spending time in South Haven, they also had a condo in Cancun for 30 years where they loved having family and friends visit them at “Camp Bosch.” At home Dori was a fantastic cook, and it has been said that she made the best birthday pies and had her own special recipe for Bona Beans.

A dear woman to countless others, there was no one who met Dori Bosch and left unchanged. It was no secret that she viewed the day she married Jack as the greatest day of her life as her husband and children were the light of her life. Dori was a hardworking woman who knew what it meant to enjoy life, too, her zest for life contagious to all who were within her reach. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Dori Bosch, of Kalamazoo, died on Saturday, December 21, 2013. Dori’s family includes her 7 children: Shari (Mark) Johns, Scott Carlson and Caryn (Joe) King; Scott (Gail) Bosch, Rick Bosch, Brooke (Tim) Latoszewski, Steve (Michelle) Bosch; grandchildren: Keenan, Kendall, Logan, Kaleb, Joey and Jayme, Brandon, Dave, Matt, Liz, Josalyn, Trent, Blair, Kira, Allie, Connor, Noah; great grandson, Jadyn; sister Julianne (Russ) Barr; niece, Laurie; and nephew, Brad. Funeral Services for Dori will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 27, 2013, at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler- Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Please visit Dori’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew Community Church.