Obituary of Rose Anna DuFort

Rose Anna DuFort, 90, of Midland, died Sunday, April 19, 2015 at her home. Rose was born June 11, 1924 in Saginaw, Michigan to Bartholomew and Mary (Smietana) Chritz. Rose boarded in Midland in order to attend high school and graduated from Midland High in 1944. She worked at The Dow Chemical Company until 1947. On February 15, 1947 Rose married Ward Edward DuFort and together they had eight children. She was a nurturing, strong and very loving person who cherished spending time with all her family. Rose was a talented seamstress that also enjoyed playing cards, picking berries and mushrooms in the woods, tending her vegetable garden, canning, raising chickens and baking bread. Rose is survived by her children, Catherine (Glenn) Marcy, Nancy (Ted) Ostien, Louise Hedelund, Jerry (Marianna) DuFort, Linda (Richard) Badour, Dennis (Kathy) DuFort, Donna DuFort (Jeff Johnson). Rose leaves 16 grandchildren, Emily (Christopher) Pytlik, Sarah (Ken) VanSumeren, Jakob (Erin) Ostien, Nik (Tammy) DuFort, Quinn (Gina) Ostien, Jennifer Marcy, Eric Hedelund, Chris (Alissa) DuFort, Abbie (Brandon) Stevenson, Erin (Kyle) Anderson, Andy (Betsy) DuFort, Kari, Matt and Bradley DuFort, Hannah and Joshua Badour. She also leaves 18 great grandchildren, William and Henry Pytlik, Lauren and Ben VanSumeren, Lukas and Nicolette Ostien, Adam, Eann, Ella and Allison DuFort, Kaden Forshee and Grant DuFort, Carter Stevenson, Lilah, Ava and James Anderson and Charlie and Clark DuFort. Her siblings, Irene Miller, Margaret Miles, Bartholomew (Chris) Chritz, Jr., Clare Firth, Frances Fleminger, Alfred Chritz, Donald Chritz, Wanda Bell, Mary Louise Heaps and Barbara Hysell along with many brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. Rose was predeceased by her parents, her husband Ward, son Duane, brothers Joseph, Edward and Leonard Chritz, sister Jean Dressler and son-in-law James Hedelund. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Senior Services of Midland County. A memorial service will take place for family and friends at St. Brigid's Catholic Church at a later time. Rose will then be interred at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan beside her husband Ward. To sign online guestbook visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com. IF USING THE SYMPATHY STORE PLEASE SEND SYMPATHY ITEMS TO THE FAMILY'S HOME.