Florence Joan "Stroberg" Dontje

Florence Joan (Stroberg) Dontje, passed away on August 21, 2025 at Grace Haven Senior Living in Manton. She was 95 years old.

Florence was born December 16, 1929 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and was the daughter of Eldon I. Stroberg and Ellen J. (Carlson) Stroberg. She attended Cadillac Schools, along with her younger sister Mary.

In 1945 her family moved to Florida to work in the restaurant business. Flo, ever the determined and independent one, stayed in Cadillac with various family and friends and completed her sophomore and junior years at Cadillac High School. She worked waiting tables at the bus station, sewing at the Girls Coat Factory and also worked at the Goodrich Rubber Factory. During the summers she traveled by train and bus to visit her family in Florida. She joined them for her senior year of school in Lake Wales, Florida, and graduated in 1947.

Afterward, Flo returned to Cadillac where she met Harold Lee Dontje and they were married at the Zion Lutheran Church in Cadillac on June 25, 1949. The couple made their home in Manton, Michigan. Once their six sons all reached school age, Flo worked as a classroom aide at Manton Schools. She also worked at Lamb's Upholstery Shop before being hired at Manton Industries from which she retired in 1992.

Flo enjoyed gardening, canning, and bowling in which she once rolled a 638 series. She loved watching baseball and softball and attended several of the Detroit Tigers training camp games when she would return to Florida to visit her sister Mary and her family. Everyone always looked forward to her famous sugar cookies at Christmas and other favorites she lovingly baked for her family. Every November during deer season. she would make sure everyone had plenty of sandwiches to take to the woods for their lunch and always had a hot meal ready for them when they returned. She anticipated hearing the often embellished stories of the hunt! She always remembered everyone's birthdays with a card and rarely missed a Manton Harvest Festival parade. She was a member of the Manton Gilbert Trinity Lutheran Church having taught Sunday School classes and served on many committees there for over 75 years.

Through many adversities over the years, and recent health challenges, Flo always overcame each setback with grit, perseverance and faith that God would take care of her and see her through. Now she has achieved the ultimate goal. She is with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and reunited with many loved ones who have gone before her. Well Done!

Flo is survived by her sons; Gregory (Bonnie) Dontje, Darrell (Jackie) Dontje, Alan (Tammy) Dontje and Douglas (Bonnie) Dontje; daughters-in-law, Martha (Neil) Wolf and Rita Dontje. She has been blessed with 18 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, and 20 great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Harold Dontje; sons Vaughn Dontje and Gerald Dontje, and sister Mary Fillingam.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. with a Memorial Service conducted at 1 p.m. at the Hall-Holdship Funeral Home in Manton, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be designated for the Gilbert Trinity Lutheran Church, Manton, Michigan.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.Hall-Holdship.com.

The family is being served by Hall-Holdship Funeral Home.