Obituaries

Dorothy Lucille (Sangraw) Pechta, age 97, of St. Ignace, Michigan, died on December
1, 2023, at her son’s home. She was born in Manistique, Michigan on March 19, 1926,
to parents George A. and Gertrude M. (Utech) Sangraw.
The oldest of four children, Dorothy grew up in the Manistique area with her family. She
graduated with the class of 1943. She moved to Detroit, Michigan, with her aunt for a
short time after graduation. During a trip to the train station, she met William Wesley
Pechta, and it was love at first sight. After her return to Manistique, William would often
take the train to visit her and her family. The couple married on April 20, 1946, and
began their own family. They relocated an old schoolhouse to the Brevort Lake area
near Moran, Michigan, and made it their family home with many remodels. They raised
their six children, Robert, Barbara, Stephen, Susan, Laurie, and William in that home.
After the kids were grown, Dorothy and Wes enjoyed spending the winter months in
Arizona, California, and Florida.
Dorothy was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Allenville, Michigan, a member
of the Order of Eastern Star, as well as a longtime election inspector for Brevort
Township. She was a homemaker while rearing their children and worked for Arnold
Transit Company as a ticket seller for many years after.
Dorothy deeply loved her family and often showed her love through cooking and baking.
She often baked cookies for her children and grandchildren and was known for her corn
pancakes and fresh sweet rolls every Saturday morning. She was always up for playing
games with her kids and grandkids and enjoyed card games and cribbage. When out
shopping, Dorothy loved hunting for a good deal; often clipping coupons and doing
rebates. She was a person who never let a thing go to waste and always found a
creative way to make sure everything was used properly. She was a very generous
person. Dorothy enjoyed gardening and loved flowers—her dear friend, Doris, brought
her flowers once a week to enjoy. Dorothy built many memories and friendships over
the years and will be greatly missed, especially by her good friend and caregiver, Kellie.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Robert Pechta, Susan (Kurt) Ney, Laurie (Dean)
Steiner, and William (Gwen) Pechta; grandchildren, Wendy (Jon) Hicks, Erik Nelson,
Hailey Ney, Kelly (Chris) Davidson-Adams, Brendon (Shannon) Steiner, Lewis Steiner
LaVasseur (Jake), Alyssa Pechta, and William (Nikki) Pechta; seven great-
grandchildren, and eleven great-great grandchildren, as well as several nephews and
nieces.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, William Wesley; parents, George and
Gertrude; brothers, Harold, Donald, and Raymond Sangraw; son, Stephen Pechta; and
daughter, Barbara Nelson; in-laws, William and Lempi Pechta; brother-in-law, Arthur
(Frances) Pechta, sisters-in-law, Jean (Bryce) Lindstrom and Effie (Alvin) Pollack, as
well as several uncles and aunts and cousins.
There will be a Celebration of Life near the end of July 2024.
The final resting place will be at Brevort Township Cemetery.
Family Life Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be
left to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.