DYKEMA, Dorothy Lee (Brower)
10-4-22 to 1-13-16
Dorothy was born on October 4, 1922 in Leary, Texas, the eldest of two children to C. Frank and Bessie Brower. She graduated from Texarkana High School and Texas Business College in Texarkana, Texas. Following a brief period as a legal assistant, she accepted a civil service commission with the U.S. Corp of Engineers as a property accountant. There were six years of various assignments beginning with an arsenal, dam projects and ending with the Manhattan Project in Dumas, Texas.
Dorothy married Herman Dykema on Sept. 2, 1946 in Texarkana, Texas and relocated to Kalamazoo, MI where she immediatgely became active in the community. Her activities included the Newcomers Club, charter member of her garden club, Past President of Ladies Library Association, Past President of General Federation of Women’s Clubs-SW Michigan District and Past Director of Girlstown, Inc. As a charter member of Meals on Wheels, she delivered meals weekly for 18 years.
Dorothy and her late husband Herman Dykema were members of First United Methodist Church since 1947 where she served as a Past President of United Methodist Women.
Most recently, on December 14, 2015, Dorothy was honored with the inaugural Ruth Webster Award for 36 years of continuous service in many capacities with the Ladies Library Association. She was President from 1988-1990 and Chair of the House Committee for 30 years, caring for a 130+ year old building, which posed many challenges. The Ruth Webster Award was a highlight of her life, along with her many years of service to Ladies Library and the community. There is a biblical quote on a stained glass window in the Ladies Library building in tribute to founding member Ruth Webster which reads “She hath wrought a good work”. It was used to honor Dorothy Dykema and exemplifies her contributions to Kalamazoo.
She was preceded in death by her husband Herman Dykema in 2011, a granddaughter Allison Lee Cagle in 1996 and a brother Willard E. Brower in 2000. Dorothy is survived by her daughter Cecily Cagle, son C. Kevin Dykema (Betsy) and two grandchildren Pete Dykema and Jane Dykema (Jeff Vautin). Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place at the First United Methodist Church on March 11, 2016 at 1:00pm. The family will be greeting friends at the church between 12:00 and 1:00pm prior to the service. Memorials may be directed in Dorothy’s honor to First United Methodist Church (212 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007) and Ladies Library Association (333 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007)

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Dorothy Lee Dykema (Brower), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.