Dorothy Elizabeth "Dottie" Shouldice

Dorothy Elizabeth “Dottie” Shouldice, age 66, of Battle Creek, Michigan died at home on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, after a brief illness.

Dorothy was born July 11, 1959, in Battle Creek, the daughter of Larry Edward and Joan Elizabeth (Abbott) Shouldice. Dottie was a 1977 graduate of Pennfield High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel restaurant management from Central Michigan University. Dottie recovered with some impairment from a serious car accident in 1983. She was employed by a Grand Rapids Lumber Company and then in Battle Creek for the Federal Government, retiring from The Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center after 10 years.

Surviving are her brother, Steven M. Shouldice of Galesburg; best friend, William “Bill” Elmer; Sheri Stivers, her former roommate at Central Michigan University and friend since; her first cousin and lifelong friend, Nancy Abbott Wilson; and several other cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. Dottie was preceded in death by both her parents, Larry and Joan in 2019.

Dottie had lifelong loving memories of growing up and spending time at the family cottage that her dad, Larry and mom, Joan remodeled on Sherman Lake; sharing campfires with family and friends and where she learned to swim and waterski. Dottie loved the Denver, CO area, trips to Pike’s Peak, driving the mountain roads, hiking in the mountains and watching sunsets over the mountains. Dottie really loved being in Traverse City, exploring the area, and enjoyed spending time with her cousin, Nancy and other friends and family. She enjoyed all kinds of music and liked playing the piano. Her favorite pastimes were reading, traveling with friends and family, family and social events and spending time with her dog Blondie. Dottie will be remembered as a character, for her free spirit, her willingness to learn and once she mastered her work, her output surpassed everyone else.

Friends will be received 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care in Battle Creek, where a service to celebrate Dottie’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/event/5948869  Following the service for Dottie, a luncheon will be held at 3:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Center, located behind the church on 24th Street. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society of South Central Michigan, 2500 Watkins Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015. SPCA of Southwest MI, 6955 W KL Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 or to the P.E.O. Foundation, Treasurer’s Dept., 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.