Dorothy "Dodie" (Boening) Horan

Dorothy “Dodie” Horan, 94, of Petoskey, Michigan, was called to her heavenly rest on May 18, 2026.

Dodie was born Dorothy Ann Boening on December 12, 1931, on her family’s hardscrabble, depression-era farm in Floresville, Texas to Olga (Kruse) and George Boening, Jr. She graduated from Poth High School in 1949. Dodie was a strikingly beautiful woman, and was crowned as Floresville’s “Farm Bureau Queen”. After graduating from high school in 1949, Dodie worked as a bookkeeper at General Oldsmobile in San Antonio, and she met and married U.S. Air Force Lt. Peter Ottimer who was stationed nearby at Lackland Air Force Base and attended Officer Candidate School. Dodie was honored as the ’53-’54 OCS Beauty Queen in 1953.

Upon Peter’s discharge from military service, he and Dodie moved to Petoskey, and she began a long career in retail clothing sales, working in the family’s children's clothing store, Flora Ottimer for Children. After several years, she and Peter parted ways, and Dodie met and married the love of her life, John Horan. She worked alongside John at his men’s clothing store, John Horan’s Gentleman's Apparel, moving seasonally between Petoskey and Scottsdale, and later, San Diego. Dodie also enjoyed modeling for Petoskey’s Ed Behan's Tweed Shop.

After John Horan's passing in 1974, Dodie worked as a hostess at the Pier Restaurant in Harbor Springs, and went on to continue her work in the retail world with her brother-in-law’s business, Bob Baker Shoes in Naples, Florida where she worked over several winters well into her 80’s.

When she wasn't working, Dodie enjoyed playing golf, tennis, gardening, quilting and sewing and she loved to dance. She also loved her home on Hampton Avenue and the many dear friends in her neighborhood.

Throughout her long life, she was kind and lived with curiosity and honor. Dodie had a Texas-bred sense of humor, and the essence of who she was remains permanently woven into the hearts and lives of her family and many friends.

Dodie will be remembered as an amazing and dedicated mother, always ensuring and prioritizing her children's happiness above all else. She also adored her grandchildren. She had an admirable strength and zest for life, and if there was an award for "Mother of the Year", Dodie would have won every year!

In addition to her beloved husband John Horan, Dodie was preceded in death by her darling sisters, Claudia Mae and Betty Lou.

Dodie is survived by her children Flora (Steve) Arbaugh and John (Shelly) Ottimer, and her two grandchildren, Alex and Sylvan Ottimer. She is also survived by her handsome brothers: Rudell, Douglas, and Larry Boening, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dodie’s family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at The Birches for the wonderful support and compassion they provided to Dodie during the final stage of her life. A special thanks goes to Hospice of Michigan and Anna Minnick, RN who became a dear friend to Dodie and her family.

Dodie Horan will be laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery beside her beloved husband John. In lieu of flowers, the family humbly suggests that her remembrance be honored with contribution to Hospice of Michigan (www.hom.org).