Dorothy Zehnder Obituary: Co-founder of Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn Dorothy Zehnder’s Death Cause Revealed
Dorothy Zehnder Obituary, Death Cause:- Dorothy Zehnder, the co-founder and matriarch of the Bavarian Inn, one of the most iconic and successful restaurants in Michigan, died on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at her home in Frankenmuth surrounded by her family. She was 101 years old.
Her family announced her passing in a statement, saying:
“We mourn the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and family matriarch. We extend our thanks for the support from the Frankenmuth community and ask that you help us remember Dorothy for the amazing woman she was and who will remain in our hearts. Our family will continue to uphold the spirit of Dorothy and her legacy to this community.”
Dorothy Zehnder was born on December 1, 1921, in Reese, a small town north of Frankenmuth. She grew up on a farm and learned to cook from her mother, who taught her how to make traditional German dishes such as sauerbraten, schnitzel, and spaetzle.
She started working as a waitress at Fischer’s Hotel in Frankenmuth in the 1930s, where she met her future husband, William “Tiny” Zehnder. They married in 1942 and had three children: Bill, Judy, and Roxie.
In 1950, they bought Fischer’s Hotel from Tiny’s father and renamed it the Bavarian Inn. They transformed it into a destination for authentic German cuisine and hospitality, attracting millions of visitors over the years. The Bavarian Inn expanded to include a hotel, a water park, a bakery, a cheese shop, a gift shop, and a carryout business.
Dorothy Zehnder Obituary
Dorothy Zehnder was the driving force behind the Bavarian Inn’s success. She developed most of the recipes used in the restaurant, which is famous for its family-style fried chicken dinners and other German comfort foods. She also oversaw quality control and trained thousands of employees in the kitchen.
She worked tirelessly until the end of her life, often spending time in the kitchen and dining room, greeting customers and staff with her warm smile and friendly personality. She also wrote three cookbooks, sharing her recipes and stories with generations of home cooks.
She was a lifelong member of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church and a generous supporter of many charitable causes in Frankenmuth and beyond. She received numerous awards and honors for her achievements and contributions to the culinary and hospitality industry.
She was preceded in death by her husband Tiny, who died in 2006, her sister Edna Hegenauer and her daughter Judy Zehnder Keller, who died in 2022. She is survived by her two children, Bill Zehnder and Roxie Westgate, 10 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren.
Her funeral services will be held at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to the church or Frankenmuth City Beautification.
Dorothy Zehnder WIKI
| Name | Dorothy Zehnder |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | December 1, 1921 |
| Date of death | July 9, 2023 |
| Age | 101 |
| Place of birth | Reese, Michigan |
| Place of death | Frankenmuth, Michigan |
| Cause of death | Natural causes |
| Occupation | Restaurateur, cookbook author |
| Spouse | William “Tiny” Zehnder (1942-2006) |
| Children | Bill Zehnder, Judy Zehnder Keller (1947-2022), Roxie Westgate |
| Grandchildren | 10 |
| Great-grandchildren | 25 |
| Restaurant | Bavarian Inn |
Facts about Dorothy Zehnder
- She was one of the co-founders and matriarchs of the Bavarian Inn, one of the highest-grossing independent restaurants in the country.
- Dorothy Zehnder worked in the restaurant industry for more than 85 years, starting as a waitress at Fischer’s Hotel in Frankenmuth in the 1930s.
- She developed most of the recipes used in the Bavarian Inn, which serves more than 900,000 meals annually, featuring authentic German cuisine and fried chicken dinners.
- She wrote three cookbooks, sharing her recipes and stories with generations of home cooks.
- Zehnder was a lifelong member of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church and a generous supporter of many charitable causes in Frankenmuth and beyond.
- She received numerous awards and honors for her achievements and contributions to the culinary and hospitality industry.
- Dorothy was known for her friendly nature, amazing memory, and dedication to the Bavarian Inn, where she worked even after turning 100.
