Dorothy Marilyn Thorpe

Dorothy Marilyn Thorpe, age 93 of Houghton, passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at the Omega House in Houghton following complications from hip surgery.  She was born on June 19, 1930 to Otto and Lempi (Soronen) Kaikkonen in Allouez Township.  Dorothy graduated from Calumet Township in 1948.

     On October 12, 1953, Dorothy married Donald Thorpe at the Parsonage in Laurium, Michigan.  After the birth of their first child, Larry, in 1954, Donald gave up his career as a wheelsman on the Great Lakes freighter ships and they moved to Ontonagon, Michigan where Donald began his 30 year career at White Pine Copper Company.

     During her 59 plus years living in Ontonagon, Dorothy worked as a sales clerk at the Montgomery Wards, JC Penney, and Sears catalog stores and a grocery clerk at the Fraki's and Pat's Foods grocery markets.  Dorothy was a regular member of the Siloa Lutheran Church and enjoyed cooking, biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and walking the family dogs.  In January of 2015, Dorothy moved to Houghton to the Arbor Green senior apartments where she was still residing at the time of her death.

     Dorothy is survived by her two sons:  Larry (Diane) Thorpe and Scott (Jacqueline) Thorpe; three grandchildren:  Kristen (Michael) Truscott, Samantha Thorpe, and Stefanie Thorpe;  two great grandchildren:  Aubree and Adelyn Truscott:  and a number of nieces and nephews.  Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; daughter-in-law Linda Thorpe; sisters Ellen, Ruth, Marjorie, brother William, and parents Otto and Lempi Kaikkonen.

     Dorothy did not want a funeral service or visitation.  A private family gathering will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send any contributions in Dorothy's name to the Omega House in Houghton.

     Dorothy's family sincerely appreciates the care that the UP Health System and the Omega House staff gave her.  Especially the Omega House, a very caring place.

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