Barbara Lee Hottenstein's Obituary
Barbara Lee Hottenstein, 82, of Blissfield, passed away peacefully after a lengthy struggle with Dementia on Friday, June 16, 2023 at Cambrian Assisted Living, Memory Care, Tecumseh. Friends and family will gather on Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and on Friday, June 23, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Anderson- Marry Funeral Home, Adrian Michigan. Her service will be held on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. A private burial will follow at Maple Shade Cemetery, Onsted.
Barbara was born on December 1, 1940 to Donald and Ruth (Allshouse) Shourds. On August 12, 1961 she married the late Philip Hottenstein in Adrian, Michigan. They had 60 years together until his passing on November 1, 2021.
Barb will best be remembered for her beautiful smile. A farm girl at heart, she never forgot her simple childhood and family roots. In her youth she loved to roller skate, ice skate, play piano and horseback ride. She is a 1959 graduate of Adrian High School where she belonged to the GAA Club, Selaco Club, Future Homemakers of America and Co-Op Club. Barb held several jobs as a teenager, eventually settling in the insurance business. After graduation she started her career at the Wendel Smith Agency in Adrian as a secretary, then later becoming an underwriter. After Mr. Smith’s passing, she became employed at Blissfield Insurance for many years, then Lenawee Christmas until her retirement. Barb was talented in many areas; she was a seamstress, baker (even making elaborate birthday cakes for the girls), woodworker and florist. It seemed there wasn’t anything she could not do. She enjoyed many things, antiquing, collecting vast amounts of crystal, depression glass, Santa Claus, snowmen and owl figurines. Barb also enjoyed the theater (seeing “Cats” and “Grease”), train rides and hot air balloons, even taking a ride on the Goodyear blimp. Through her employment, she was awarded a trip to Canada by train and later a trip to Mexico. For her and Phil’s 25th anniversary, the daughters sent them to Tennessee to tour the Grand Ole Opry, take a train ride through Chattanooga, and a dinner cruise on a riverboat. For their 50th anniversary, the girls took them to Mackinac Island for the first time. Barb was a devoted mother, daughter, and granddaughter. She gave up a lot of her time helping her daughter pursue her dream of showing horses. Barb was one of the very few women of her era that worked a forty-hour week, raised three girls, and still had time to encourage the children to pursue outside interests. Her love of the old farmhouses and country living stayed with her to the very end. She was a tremendous, strong, perfectionist that remained gracious to the very end. Barb will greatly be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Barb is survived by her daughter Julia (Doug) Spiegel, step-daughters, Pamela (Fred) Glutsch and Vicki (Kevin) Ruettinger; a sister, Linda (Charles) Roberts; and a brother, Michael (Nancy) Shourds; grandchildren, Carrie (Doyle) Sharp, Travis Glutsch, Jennifer VanEtten, Ashley VanEtten; six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Phil; and brothers, Norman and Raymond.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Cambrian Assisted Living, Memory Care in Tecumseh and Careline Hospice of Jackson for their excellent care of mom during this time of her life.
Memorial contributions may be given to Touch of Home, Adult Care in Adrian or Careline Hospice of Jackson. Please leave a message of comfort for the family or sign the guest book at www.EinederFuneralHomes.com
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