Dorothy A. (Kraus) Govaert

Aug. 1, 1929 - May 8, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Dorothy Ann Govaert, 82, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, May 8th, in Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Clifford Rudolph and Augusta Esther (Strom) Kraus on August 1, 1929.

The family moved to South Bend in 1936, and she graduated in 1947 from Riley High School.

In 1948 Dorothy married Urban Govaert. They were married for 56 years. He passed away in 2005. They were the parents of three children, Debra (Gary) Klockow of Granger, Indiana, Craig (Tina) Govaert of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Michael (Rose) Govaert of New Carlisle, Indiana. They were blessed with seven grandchildren, Angelica Govaert of Las Vegas, Nevada, Amanda Govaert of Mishawaka, Indiana, Michael (Katie) Klockow of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kimberly Klockow of Norman, Oklahoma, Colleen Klockow of West Lafayette, Indiana, and Ryan and Kyle Govaert of New Carlisle, Indiana. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed. She is survived by two very special nieces, Gail (Gary) Moon and Karen (Eric) Brochhausen; and her brother-in-law, Jack Coquillard. She also had wonderful friends, Lorraine (Jerry) Lekarczyk and Alice Florida (Ves) Hayes. They enriched her life with their continued love, support and friendship.

Dorothy had many lifelong friends who preceded her in death. Her sister, Shirley (Jack) Coquillard, was a wonderful and devoted sister. Any obituary of Dorothy would be incomplete without mentioning Mary (Joseph) Farkas, who was like a sister to her and an aunt to her children.

Dorothy retired from Indiana Bell in 1990 where she worked as a keyboard operator. During her time there she received the Indiana Lifesavers Award. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and Club 53 (Busha Card Club). She enjoyed shopping trips, trips to "the Boat, arts and crafts. She was an amazing letter writer. She loved travels with her husband, Ben. Dorothy was a wonderful storyteller and was loved and called "Grandma" by all the neighbor kids. She had a cookie and Popsicle for everyone, and her house was a haven for all animals.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family for two hours prior to services in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, 2506 Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545; or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. E-mail condolences may be sent to www.welsheimer.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on May 13, 2012.

06/30/2023 EJS

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