Dolores M. Gregersen, 88, of Battle Creek formerly of Dorr, died Thursday, March 24.

Dolores was a blessing to everyone she met. She was outgoing and talkative with a genuine concern for people that drew others near with ease. Dolores spent the majority of her life alongside her true love, and together they were filled with unspeakable joy to witness their family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones who made them so very proud.

She was born Nov. 18, 1927, to Charles and Sarah (Newman) Bourdo in Orangeville. . She was the third of three children in her family as she was raised alongside her older brothers, Todd and Lawrence, and her younger sister, Elaine. She attended local schools and went on to graduate from Delton High School.

She met the young man of her dreams, Detlef “Greg” Gregersen, when she was working in the meat department of a local grocery store. As the story goes, Greg had become quite smitten with her, and after much persuading from his boss, who was also the owner of the grocery store, he asked her to accompany him to a dance that upcoming Saturday. Since Dolores didn’t have anything else to do, she accepted his invitation.

With a desire to establish a life together, Dolores and Greg were married on Feb. 19, 1949, five months after they met. Together they welcomed three children including Joann, Lois, and Brian into their hearts and home. With a husband who worked hard to provide, Dolores was able to focus her time and attention on caring for their home and children. She completely devoted herself to these roles and worked tirelessly to do so. Dolores was quite a cook, which her family appreciated, and she was especially famous for her homemade noodles, apple dumplings, and a variety of pies.

Dolores enjoyed big band music, polka, and any kind of dance music, and for years she and Greg went out square dancing. They also loved going to their cabin up North. After retiring, the couple spent more time there, and they often stayed for weeks at a time. When relaxing, Dolores could often be found crocheting.

Life was forever changed for Dolores with Greg’s death in 2011. Though deeply saddened, she coped and enjoyed living at the Heritage Assisted Living in Battle Creek.

Dolores Gregersen was an extraordinary woman, a longtime resident of the community she loved, and with her warm and outgoing personality a stranger was never a stranger for long. Dolores enjoyed the beauty in the little things, and she was content in whatever life brought.

Dolores’ family includes her three children: Joann Ambler, of Ceresco, Lois Hoaglin, of Homer, and Brian (Karen) Gregersen, of Wayland; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sister: Elaine (Alan) Shepard, of Otsego; and several nieces and nephews.

Dolores was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers: Todd Fox and Lawrence Bourdo.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, at 120 S. Woodhams, Plainwell (269-685-5881). The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home. Burial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Orangeville.

Please visit Dolores’ memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign her guestbook and share a memory and/or photo. Those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Great Lakes Caring Hospice and/or Alzheimer’s Association.