of Chelsea, age 92, died Sunday, April 8, 2012 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. She was born October 8, 1919 in Watertown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Gerhardt & Lilly (Loeffler) Dobbratz.

On May 10, 1944, Marie was married to John T. Kleinsteiber in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  They were married for 46 years.  John and Marie Lived in East Detroit, where they worked and raised their three children.  John and Marie retired to New Port Ritchie, Florida and then Marie returned to Michigan after the loss of John in 1990.  Marie had lived the last 20 years in Chelsea.  She was an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chelsea, and a member of the Ladies Guild.  Marie was a formerly a beautician; she enjoyed sewing and volunteering at the Waterloo Farm Museum. She had many friends and loved helping others.  Marie served God and family.


Survivors include a daughter, Cheryl “Sherry” (Edward) Lipiec of Chelsea; two sons, Larry (Mary) Kleinsteiber of Madison, WI, Jim (Kathy) Kleinsteiber of San Jose, CA; five grandchildren, Karsten Lipiec, Blase Lipiec, Kristin (Shawn) Wisniewski, Katie (Jeremy) Kiley, Aaron Kleinsteiber; two great-grandchildren, Claire and Mark Wisniewski; five sisters-in-law, Virginia Dobbratz, Ruth Dobbratz, Jan Dobbratz, Marie Dobbratz, Erna Boxrud; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by four brothers, Herman, Fred, Edward, and Raymond.


Funeral services were held Friday, April 13, 11:30 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church with Rev. Dale Grimm officiating.  Burial  followed at Oak Grove East Cemetery, Chelsea. The family received friends Thursday 5-8 p.m. at Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1515 S. Main St., Chelsea, MI 48118.

Click here to view or sign Marie's online guestbook