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IRON MOUNTAIN -- Dorothy Ann Occhietti, 99, of Iron Mountain, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, at Optalis Health & Rehabilitation in Kingsford.
She was born June 18, 1927, in Niagara, Wis., daughter of the late Martin and Anna (Kososki) Boerner. Dorothy graduated from Niagara High School in 1945 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she earned a degree in education and business education. She pursued her education with a master of arts degree with an emphasis on vocational education from Northern Michigan University and an education specialist degree from Michigan State University with an emphasis on higher education and administration.
Dorothy experienced teaching high school business courses in Wausaukee and Goodman, Wis., and Vulcan and Iron Mountain High Schools, where she served as department chairperson. Dorothy designed summer and adult evening business courses and was prepared as one of the first instructors for community schools. She was a devoted believer in adult and higher education. During the summers, she worked in the secretarial department at Kimberly-Clark and evenings taught business classes for Northern Michigan University.
Dorothy served on the original planning groups to support the concept for localizing the technical education center in Kingsford and Bay de Noc Community College. She fulfilled her challenge to teach 60 consecutive years.
Dorothy's strength was her love for teaching and claimed her students were her life. Her pride was training students as young adults for entering the world of work with respect for the job and workers. It was enjoyment when her students were hired in the field of business. Students received special treatment when she developed the Future Secretaries Club, at which they experienced a monthly dinner meeting with advice from speakers from within the community.
Dorothy became a valuable advocate for the Dickinson-Iron vocational concept in the area for years and earned the position serving as job placement director, serving students in Dickinson and Iron counties.
The Dorothy Occhietti Dickinson County Vocational Scholarship was established with funds donated by many area businesses because of the Job Placement Program at the vocational center. Dorothy served many students to seek jobs, not only locally but throughout the United States. Women became interested in the first local American Business Women's Association, which she co-founded, as they were challenged through the advice she offered in adult evening classes.
To her credit, Dorothy taught business courses for Gogebic Community College, Northern Michigan University, and Bay de Noc Community College. She was selected by the Business and Education Departments of Northern Michigan University to supervise 22 student teachers. To her delight, they all succeeded in their chosen field of teaching business courses.
Dorothy's awards, recognitions and services were wide and varied. She was the first DAR recipient at Niagara High School; pioneered a permanent vocational certificate; Michigan Adult Education Teacher of the Year; first state Delta Kappa Gamma Woman of Distinction; Delta Kappa Gamma State Scholarship; co-sponsored Woman in Management Seminar at NMU; local ABWA Woman of the Year; Who's Who in American Women; president, Upper Peninsula Business Education Association; board of directors, Upper Great Lakes Teacher Education Council; president, Delta Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma Society; founder and president, Beta Sigma Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma; Theta Sigma Upsilon Sorority secretary in college; trustee, Dickinson Area Catholic Schools; coordinated and chaired many business education conferences locally and at NMU; produced two professional publications; served as a panelist for many professional groups and seminars; treasurer, Chippewa Club; Michigan Career Education Planning Development; affiliation and curriculum writer for Department of Education and Department of Vocational Education; Michigan Vocational Performance Objective Committee; supported the Native American students at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Chamberlain, S.D.
Present and past memberships included: Immaculate Conception Church for over 50 years; Delta Kappa Gamma Society; founded local American Business Woman's Association; American Association University Women; charter member, Zonta; St. John Paul Society; Bishop Baraga Association; Michigan Association Retired School Personnel; American Vocational Association; Phi Delta Kappa; Michigan Adult Education Association Placement; Personnel Association; life member, Paisano Club; Smithsonian Institute; Pine Grove Country Club; and life member of the Niagara Historical Society.
Dorothy's most recent writings, "Editor Born Behind the Mill," is placed on record at the Niagara Historical Society and the Historical Society in Madison, Wis. This tells the story about growing up in a Niagara family where her dad was the editor of the Niagara Journal for over 40 years and the family's involvement with serving the community. "Paddling My Canoe Upstream" informs readers of the challenges as an educator during her 60 years of teaching.
Dorothy married Roland Occhietti at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Niagara, Wis., on Feb. 14, 1953. He preceded her in death in August 2011.
Dorothy is survived by her sisters-in-law, Betty Occhietti and Judy Occhietti; nieces and nephews Tony (Cindy) Occhietti, Maria (Jeff) DeMerse, Michael (Maria) Occhietti, Valeri (Cory) Masuga, Dan (Krisen) Occhietti, Doug (Melissa Powell) Anderson, and Bill Anderson; and by many great-nieces and great-nephews.
In addition to her parents, Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Roland; brother Jim Boerner; nephew Jimmy Boerner Jr.; infant brother, William; maternal grandparents Steve and Julia Kososki; paternal grandparents Martin Sr. and Katherine Boerner; father-in-law and mother-in-law Aurelio and Pia Occhietti; brothers-in-law Benjamin Occhietti and Dr. Anthony Occhietti; and by a special cousin, Francine Stanek.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Prayer service will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with Father Michael Chenier officiating. Burial will be at Cemetery Park.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Dorothy's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Iron Mountain to honor Dorothy's legacy of life.