FRANKENMUTH, Mich. (WNEM) – Dorothy Zehnder, the beloved matriarch of Frankenmuth, died on Sunday, July 9 on the age of 101.

“We’re unhappy to lose such a legend in our household, however we’re pleased for her that she is reunited with our grandfather Tiny in heaven. And we’re simply rejoicing along with her that she might be with Jesus Christ,” stated Amy Zehnder-Grossi, granddaughter of Dorothy.

The Bavarian Inn matriarch, who was a staple of Frankenmuth and identified nicely past its borders, handed away at her residence Sunday night time. She was 101 years outdated.

Zehnder-Grossi recalled one of many final conversations she had along with her grandmother that centered round meals.

“Her thoughts was nice till the top. And I stated, ‘I really like you, grandma.’ And he or she stated, ‘I really like you too.’ And that was an ideal option to finish our dialog,” she stated.

Zehnder-Grossi stated Dorothy died of pure causes.

“She was 101 and her physique began exhibiting her age,” Zehnder-Grossi stated. “And so, it wasn’t actual sudden for us, however, she died peacefully with household round.”

After phrase of Dorothy’s passing unfold, Zehnder-Grossi stated condolences, constructive ideas, and well-wishes have poured in from close to and much, which is one thing she appreciates.

“We’ve acquired a lot help from the neighborhood, from our workforce right here at Bavarian Inn. You understand, our workforce is grieving additionally. And so, we’re an enormous household right here. And so, it’s simply good to be with one another. And we’re simply grateful for all of the help that we’ve acquired up to now,” she stated.

She stated the legacy of Dorothy will stay on.

Many stated Frankenmuth would not be what’s had it not been for Dorothy Zehnder and her husband Tiny.

“We’re going to do what we are able to do to stay as much as her expectations and proceed to make Frankenmuth the good place it’s,” Zehnder-Grossi stated.

Many stated Frankenmuth wouldn’t be what’s had it not been for Dorothy and her husband Tiny.

“When her and Tiny had been companions in enterprise for a lot of, a few years, they created what we all know as Frankenmuth as we speak and being Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” stated Jamie Furbush, the president and CEO of the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Conference and Customer’s Bureau.

Furbush stated Dorothy Zehnder performed an enormous function in attracting vacationers to the realm.

“Dorothy cherished guests. She was all the time within the eating room greeting folks and signing her cookbooks. And I feel it’s what makes the spirit of hospitality so particular in Frankenmuth is she led by instance as a result of she wished to be with the individuals who loved her enterprise and loved her cooking,” Furbush stated.

Dorothy did much more than cook dinner. Six years in the past, she was featured on an enormous display at Instances Sq. in New York Metropolis. She and her husband Tiny are members of Michigan’s Polka Music Corridor of Fame, and he or she has taken half within the ceremonial puck drop at a Saginaw Spirit sport.

In 2017, Dorothy threw out the primary pitch at a Detroit Tigers residence sport.

“It was enjoyable, she was apprehensive about if she might get it to the house plate,” Furbush stated. “She simply had such a constructive perspective, that’s what I all the time bear in mind. She was all the time a, ‘Oh yeah, let’s strive that!’ And so, had a terrific go-getter perspective and all the time constructive about life.”

Whereas many are mourning the lack of a neighborhood celeb, for Zehnder-Grossi, this was Grandma.

“I’m going to overlook her smile, her spunk for all times, I’m going to overlook her recommendation. You understand, who am I going to name when I’ve a query on a recipe? She would all the time be there to share her recommendation and we’re going to overlook her,” Zehnder-Grossi stated.

Her funeral service shall be held at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church at 11 a.m.

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