Dee Ann Warner, Tecumseh mother and grandmother, who has been missing from her Tecumseh, Michigan home for over a year, loved the Lenawee County Fair. Dee grew up on a dairy farm and was very active in 4-H. As an adult, she remained involved. “She was Superintendent of the Dairy Feeder Board,” Kathryn Adams, friend of Dee, told me. “She was a strong advocate for the kids. Dee wanted them to have all the opportunities she had growing up.”
Since Dee disappeared April 25, 2021, her family has received an outpouring of support from the community. Through generous donations from individuals and fundraisers put on by four area businesses, Frosty Joey’s of Clinton, Twin Pines Eatery, Twisted Canvas Tattoo, and Main Street Perk, Dee will be remembered.
“We are trying to keep Dee’s legacy and memory alive by making positive changes to the community,” Kathryn said. Kathryn and Parker Hardy, Dee’s nephew, wanted to begin at Lenawee County Fairgrounds. “The fair was truly Dee’s soft spot,” Kathryn said.
A few months ago, while at the fairgrounds, Kathryn and Parker passed the Frosty Cow and knew that’s where they would start, The Frosty Cow is the ice cream stand where Dee would splurge and treat herself to an ice cream cone or shake after a long day of working with the kids in 4-H.
The Frosty Cow now has a cute, new paint job and updated landscaping just in time for the Lenawee County Fair which runs from July 24–30, 2022. According to Kathryn, there will be a sign or plaque with Dee’s name on it going up soon.
“Dee’s birthday is July 29th, which is during the fair. This is a very hard time for us,” Kathryn said. “I just want to burst into tears every time I step foot on the fairgrounds.”
Kathryn is an administrator of the Justice for Dee FaceBook page where you can find the latest information as new evidence is revealed on the case. She also runs the Justice for Dee website. Kathryn’s mother and Dee were lifelong friends. Dee used to babysit Kathryn and Kathryn thought of Dee as an aunt. When Kathryn had her own child who is around the same age as Dee’s youngest, their bond became even tighter.
“We have more plans to better the community in Dee’s name,” Kathryn said. “The Frosty Cow is just a start.”
This year, when you are enjoying a sweet treat at the Frosty Cow while you are having fun at the fair, think about Dee and send up a prayer. Her family and friends would appreciate it.
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