Doris Stermer

Doris Stermer was a witness to nearly a century of change, a first-hand observer to such remarkable developments as color television, a man walking on the moon, and the smart phone. As the world morphed for both better and worse, she remained consistent, always a hard worker, a generous person, and a dedicated mother. She knew that something simple yet beautiful like a holiday table setting mattered, not because of the table itself, but because of the people gathered around it.

Doris was born on April 6, 1929, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Emil and Esther (Schulz) Geissel, the same year that saw the beginnings of the Great Depression. Mom grew up during the Great Depression and World War II. These difficult times instilled in her the family values, work ethic and strength of her character. Her father worked at Checker Motors and was also a farmer. Doris’ mom managed the farm while raising their six children. At that time the family lived near the intersection of 2nd Street. and W. Main Street.

The fourth of the six kids, Doris learned how to work hard and pitch in on the farm. There were always cows to milk, chickens to feed, and eggs to collect. Doris attended a one room schoolhouse until high school and then went to Mattawan High.

World War II was in full swing during Doris’ teen years. She along with the rest of the country waited for news of friends who had gone off to fight, and in 1945 she rejoiced to hear that the war was finally over. There were plenty of good times, and she often spoke of her friends and fun nights at dances.

Also, after high school Doris worked as a machine operator for the company Stationary in Kalamazoo, a job she did so well that when she left to get married they needed to hire two people to replace her!

Doris met a man named Richard at the Granger Hall and it was no exaggeration to say her life would never be the same. The two were married on November 17, 1951, at St. Joseph Church. They took a quick trip to a classic honeymoon spot, Niagara Falls, and when they returned home, they started their life together on the family farm in the Scotts area. Doris enjoyed going to social activities at the Y after high school.

The next year, Doris and Richard welcomed their first child, Bruce. Over the years they added Sandy, Dennis, Ken, Perry, and Dan to their bustling home. The farm was the center of their families’ activities and Doris made sure all the kids learned a strong work ethic just like she had when she was young. They helped in the vegetable garden and worked with Doris at the Banks Street Market in Kalamazoo where she was known as “the bean lady”, famous for selling beans by the bushel. She was also recognized for her quality vegetables and flower bouquets. Market days were Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; the remaining days were pick days, and Sunday for church and maybe a trip to a relatives lot on Indian Lake for a picnic and volleyball.

In addition to the 10-acre truck garden, Doris, Richard, and the kids raised potatoes, corn, wheat and hogs and managed 260 acres. It was definitely a lot of work and they didn’t have the freedom to take vacations. That didn’t mean they never had fun, though. The Millers had a lot on Indian Lake in Vicksburg and the Stermers would visit for some swimming and volleyball, along with a potluck. They visited Deer Forest Fun Park and took 4-H trips to Lansing and Chicago a few times. On Sundays they attended St. Joseph Church and then went out to eat, often at Bill Knapp’s restaurant. They built a new home on the family farm in 1974. Once the kids were old enough to run the farm themselves, Doris and Richard traveled to Florida, California, Texas, and other warm spots for several weeks every winter, usually with their good friends and neighbors, the Cagney’s.

Doris was involved with the community and efficiently managed the monthly Pavilion Township senior potluck for many years. She and the kids were also regularly involved in 4-H. Doris was a leader and taught gift wrapping and gardening. Doris also entered her own projects in competition at the fair. Her pies, cookies, and biscuits were consistent blue-ribbon winners. Pillsbury even hired her as a consultant to help them develop recipes! Her family received the biggest benefit from her skills, however; every supper ended with a homemade dessert.

The Stermer home was warm and inviting. The kids’ friends were always welcome, and when there was a need, kids were temporarily taken in. As the children grew and started families of their own, Doris’ heart knew no bounds. She was the “best mother-in-law” and loved spending time with her grandchildren. Trips to the dentist were always better with Grandma because she would take them to get ice cream afterward.

Doris loved the holidays and worked hard to make them special. She planned and prepared treats and carefully decorated for each occasion. She particularly enjoyed well thought out table settings and showed her care for her family and other guests through the care she gave to the arrangements.

Doris enjoyed watching musicals and often stepped out with Richard for a night of dancing at the VFW. She was always up for a game of Pitch or Canasta with family, and she liked going to the movies once in a while. After Richard died and she retired from farming, she had more free time to enjoy travel. Doris often traveled with Lapekas Tours all across the US. She also made visits to her son in Oklahoma, California, and Oregon. Doris also joined the dance troupe, The Celery City Cloggers, and performed in area venues for many years. She enjoyed shopping, and she also watched her favorite TV shows like Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Survivor, and her soaps. She liked to read and when she had time she would sit with a good romance novel. She also enjoyed dancing at the Helen Coover Center.

About five years ago, Doris was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and moved to Bickford Cottage in Portage, Michigan. Despite the many challenges Doris and her family faced, her lifelong practices of generosity, sacrifice, and diligence laid a loving foundation strong enough to handle them. Over the years she had worked the ground with her hands, planted a life with her husband, cultivated a family with care, and ended up growing a legacy that will impact generations to come.

Doris died peacefully on March 10, 2024, in Portage. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard in 1990; her son, Daniel Stermer; a granddaughter, Nichole Wrona; five siblings: Marie Dowling, Lois Rey, Thelma Lamphear, Emil Geissel, Jr., and George Geissel; and son-in law, Karthel Mullins. She is survived by five children: Bruce Stermer (Barbara Butzer), Sandy Mullins, Dennis (Jana) Stermer, Ken (Gayle) Stermer, and Perry (Brenda) Stermer; eighteen grandchildren; forty-seven great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; in-laws Roberta Geissel, Rossetta Stermer, and Richard Simmons; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us at her Life Story visitation where food, drinks, and stories will be shared on Tuesday, March 19, from 4-7 p.m. with a prayer service immediately following at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, (269) 375-2900. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, March 20, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Lunch will follow in the church hall and burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visit Doris’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and to sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Great Lake Chapter or St. Joseph Church.