Dorothy I. (Prahl) Palmer

Dorothy Irene Palmer, 96, passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2021.  Dorothy was born in Mishawaka, IN on August 4, 1925, to the late Oscar and Maude (Brewer) Prahl.  Dorothy was the youngest child and was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Prahl; sisters, Helen Prahl, Ruth Wheeler, and Louise Ruegger; and both of her spouses, Lloyd T. Stites and Leonard Palmer.  Affectionately known as Dot, she graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1943 and moved briefly to Chicago.  Following her return to South Bend she met and married Lloyd Stites of South Bend.  Together they raised 2 sons.  The family spent their summers and many weekends building and enjoying their cottage at Sister Lakes, Michigan where Dorothy was an excellent water skier and enjoyed fishing.  She was an accomplished seamstress, making a variety of costumes, quilts, wall hangings and clothes for her children.  In addition to homemaking, she worked as a school crossing guard in South Bend.

Dorothy was married briefly to Leonard Palmer, however, chose to live independently for the last 40 years of her life.  She worked in a variety of clerical positions and ultimately was hired by United Airlines.  She loved her position at United and took full advantage of the travel benefits.  Hawaii was her favorite destination.

Dorothy moved to the Bercliff Estates neighborhood and enjoyed the peace and tranquility it affords.  She joined the congregation of the Gospel Center Missionary Church and it provided Dorothy with a new found strength and purpose.  Dorothy is survived by her sons, Tom (Patricia) Stites and Dennis (Fran) Stites; grandchildren, T.J. (Beth), Sarah (Doug) and Michael (Sara Beth); great-grandchildren, Ryan, Sophia, Mya, Justin, Jason, Hugh, Soren and another on the way.  Additionally, there are numerous and supportive nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Dorothy will be 5-7 pm on Thursday, August 19 at Hahn Funeral Home in Mishawaka.  Funeral Services will be held at 10 am on Friday, August 20th at the funeral home.  Dorothy will be laid to rest in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

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