Dora Elizabeth Piper

Dora Elizabeth Piper Lansing Dora was born December 2, 1922 and grew up during the Depression moving several times before graduating from Williamston High School in 1941. In an age when women were often expected to marry young, Dora became a working woman. She worked for Wolverine Insurance Co. as a bookkeeper and later she was employed by Oldsmobile in Lansing. Dora married Verne Piper in May 1955. They had five children; Amy, Stephen, Calvin, Gregory and Lawrence. Dora was a wonderful, caring, loving wife and mother. An excellent cook, she canned her own vegetables and made her own tomato juice and spaghetti sauce from scratch. Her homemade pies (especially the coconut cream pie!) and cookies were famous. Some people talk of special Sunday dinners; but, Dora made every meal every day special and complete. Dora and Verne suffered a great heartache when their son Gregory preceded them in death in 1976; but, continued to show love, support and encouragement to their other children. Two decades later, Dora's heart was broken once again when Verne passed away after a brief battle with leukemia in 1996. Dora is survived by her daughter, Amy (Ross Dingman) Piper and three sons, Stephen Piper, Calvin Piper and Lawrence (Marsha) Piper; five grandchildren, Jessica, Heather, Rebecca and Jeremiah Piper and Alexis Dingman. She also has seven great-grandchildren; Bethany, Cassidy, Aubreigh, Jordan, Ayvah, Cayden and Lilian. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, 11:00 a.m. At Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. John Byers as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. At the Palmer, Bush and Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Holt Chapel, where a rosary will be prayed Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.palmerbush.com To Mom, You loved us without question or condition. You were taken from us slowly and it was hard when we no longer saw the twinkle in your eye or joy in your voice when we came to visit. On March 1, 2009 you finally got to see Dad and Greg again. Please say hello to them for us. You will be missed greatly and know we love you very much.