Jean R. Dubendorfer

On Wednesday, October 15, 2015, Jean, 86, passed away at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Born to Arthur and Helen (France) Sulzer and raised on Secor Road where the families of her grandfather, father, and uncles all lived and operated the B. Sulzer & Sons Greenhouse on the site of what is now the Toledo Clinic. Jean graduated from Whitmer High School in 1946 and married Jacob R. Dubendorfer. Jake and Jean enjoyed 49 years together. Side by side they played golf, gardened, and personally built three homes for their family. They enjoyed many years at the Sulzer family home on Devils Lake and vacationed with their sons family in Florida. Jean retired from Washington Local Schools after 25 years. She began in the cafeteria and retired as secretary to the Dean of Girls. Shortly after retiring, in 1986 Jean suffered a near fatal accident when a tree fell on her. Although not expected to survive, she recovered as a paraplegic and with the support of Jake, her family, and her friends she was able to enjoy the next 29 years living independently in her own home. Jean took great pleasure in family gatherings, birthday parties, and weekly card games with devoted friends. A long time member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, she was disappointed when she could no longer attend services because of illness. Jean was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jacob Dubendorfer; her beloved son, Stephen A. Dubendorfer ; and her sister, Marjorie Holub. Left behind to cherish the memory of her strength and determination, daughter, Judith (Ronald) Cooperman; son Kim (Susan) Dubendorfer; daughter-in-law Susan E. Dubendorfer; grandchildren; Ryan (Melanie) Dubendorfer, Christopher Dubendorfer, Eric (Beverly) Dubendorfer, Amy(Jason) Duffy, Erin (Jon Torok) Cooperman, Katie (Don) Delker, Jonathan Cooperman, Katherine Cooperman, 14 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Tiwana Legree for helping Mom continue to live independently and to her card friends for putting the fun into her life. Also to all the incredible doctors and nurses at Hospice of Northwest Ohio for caring for mom as though she were their own. A memorial service in Jeans honor will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2015 11:00 at Our Saviour Lutheran Church on Alexis Road. H. H. Birkenkamp Funeral Home (419-473-1301) assisted Jeans family with professional services Anyone wishing to make a contribution in Jeans memory is asked to consider Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 E. River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551 or Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 2820 W. Alexis Rd., Toledo, OH 43613. To leave an online condolence for Jeans family, please visit www.birkenkampfuneralhome.com