Claire Dorothy Troolines

She was born on July 17, 1926, to Alex and Valida (Perreault) Gagnon in Lake Linden. She was the third of four Gagnon daughters.

Life was nothing short of adventurous in the snow country with an average of over 250 inches of snow in a winter, not unusual for a town where all help one another. Winters included memories such as grabbing a piece of cardboard and using it to slide down the hill, in summer too actually!

Father, Alex Gagnon, although never owned a vehicle got the family around, visiting friends and family in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada many times over the years and grew a great garden to feed the family and local community.

Mother, Valida, known for her sweetness, good cooking and soprano voice, was never in a bad mood, even though having multiple health concerns. The “girls” grew up in a happy home.

Claire attended the Lake Linden-Hubbell School. At the age of 23 Claire moved to Detroit to work in the Cadillac Division of General Motors. She worked faithfully as a press operator and retired after 38 years. During that time, she met and married John Troolines Sr., July 31, 1971. Detroit area was home and upon retiring, they traveled extensively throughout the U.S. with their travel trailer and their beloved cat, “Cory.” Dorothy journaled the sights and adventures! She especially noted the Bridal Veil falls in Yosemite National Park and they saw the “Bloom of the Century” in Death Valley, California, with John and Kathie Troolines in 2005.

She enjoyed being with family and friends, watching birds with their “field glasses” (binoculars), country music, Johnny Cash, John Wayne movies and Lawrence Welk. Grandkids recalled grandma singing “You are My Sunshine” with joy.

Dorothy was noted by all to have the most welcoming big smile, a happy disposition and never a complainer. When asked: “How are you?”�-“not bad,” she would say.

In 2004, John and Dorothy moved to California to live close to John’s son and his family. They enjoyed the Lake Isabella area and community. After John’s death, Dorothy moved to the U.P. of Michigan to be close to her family in 2009. Then the Bluffs of Houghton was a comfortable home with the familiar Houghton Lift Bridge out her living room window. She moved closer to her daughters, residing at Glenhaven in Glenwood City, Wisconsin, from 2015 to 2018.

Claire is preceeded in death by her parents; husband, John Troolines Sr.; stepson, James Troolines; sisters, Marie (Gagnon) Rheault and Arlene (Gagnon) Bjorklund.

She is survived by her sister, Jean Parker of Lake Linden; twin daughters, Roselynn (Herb) Luks, Hammond, Wisconsin, and Rosalie Rothstein of Cable, Wisconsin; stepson, John (Kathie) Troolines of Lake Isabella, California; grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and of the 54 first cousins she and her sisters shared, only three still reside in the U.P. of Michigan.

A memorial service to honor Claire Dorothy Troolines will be held in the summer in the U.P.

A special thanks to Kathie Troolines of Lake Isabella, California, who has always been available and willing to help John and Dorothy and the family.