Doris Wanhorst

Today we are looking into the chapter: Remembering Doris“

Yes, Doris, as being the last member of the Wanhorst family here in America, it goes to an end. There are no other relatives or Friends of the family remaining here. The only one is her only brother, Gerhard, but he lives in Germany.

At the time when Doris was born, in Chicago, Illinois, on May 2. 1939, her parents lived in Highland, Ind. (Gerhard was also born in Chicago.) After a few years there, they moved to Gary, Glen Park, where they founded the Glen Park Feed Store. They raised chickens in Highland and had experiences, therefore.

She visited the Franklin Grade School and later, Lew Wallace High School. Because the parents sold the store in the late fifties and moved to Crown Point, Ind., she finished her last and senior year at Crown Point High School. Pa built a house on the „Nine mile stretch“, as it is called.

It must have been in the sixties, when she started to work at a news stand or similar. There, she met Mary Ann and they became friends. This friendship lasted all through the years up to and including Doris passing away. Mary Ann was only not a friend but also more than a sister could ever be.

At this point, I would like to say, thank you so much Mary Ann, for taking care of Doris. Words cannot describe my appreciation for you caring for her. This also pertains to Dale, your husband.

Doris, on the other hand, devoted her life to her/ our, parents with all her love and effort and therefore, lived with them until them too, passed away. This way they supported one another however they could.

But all in all, she had a good life.

She enjoyed gardening, flowers, plants and feeding / watching birds in her garden. Especially Hummers.

Most of all, orchids, which she not only held but also grew. At times, there were about 50 or 60 plants in the house. She had somewhat of a green thumb, as it is called.

She, like our, Mom, did a lot of needlework, sewing, etc. Samples of their work could to be seen all over the walls in the house. The best proof of that, was an old chair. It’s a masterpiece of workmanship. (Picture included) Still in Crown Point, she also had a horse, Twig, and got acquainted with other horse lovers and owners. These were good years for her which she enjoyed very much. For example, visiting Brown County, Indiana. with them.

Mom and Pa, came to the US and into the south Chicago area, in the mid- twenties from Germany. Doris as well as her brother, didn’t like to speak German, which mostly disappointed our father. She could, however, understand it when spoken. Besides that, most of the family relatives and friends were of German origin. That made it somewhat easy also.

In the year 1963, she and our parents visited Germany, not only to see her brother/ son, but also the relatives living there. Gerhard worked there from 1961 to 1965. Later in 1969, when her brother got married with Ingrid, she came again and got a job at the Bakery where Gerhard was working. After that, (1970) the parents also moved to Germany, but decided to go back to the States in 1971. The love and devotions to her parents was so strong, that she decided to go back with them. (This has its good and not so good sides, as her brother sees it anyway).

They first bought a house in Riverdale, IL and after Pa passed in 1994, moved to Lansing, IL. In 1995. Mom passed in 1998, leaving Doris living alone. During these years in Riverdale, she worked at Marshal Field & Co., River Oaks, and Ill.

However, and how some things turn out: The three agreed to buy plots at the Chapel Lawn Funeral Home in Schererville. That was in 1993!!! Doris is now joining her / our, parents and being laid between them. That’s how she wanted it.

In July of this year, (2022) ,her brother Gerhard, came over from Germany, because Doris wasn’t doing well, whatsoever. (From July 12 to September 3.) She could not live alone in her house anymore. That was sure!!! She needed help and aid 24/7, as it is named.

She was first transferred to the hospital in Munster and after that to Wittenberg Village in Crown Point. Most likely she got an infection or two, in the hospital, so that she had to be put under special care or quarantine measures. Antibiotics weren’t easy for her above that. To that, she became dement, which didn’t make things easier on her either.

Mary Ann and Gerhard finally found a very nice home for her. That was Bickford Village, also in Crown Point. It just fitted to Doris perfectly. Everything nicely and with love arranged in the hallways, rooms, and especially the big patio. It was / is, full of trees, flowers, and above all, birds. Even Hummers were present. Just beautiful. She deserved a new home like that.

However, due to her poor health, she was not able to live and enjoy her stay there. Even though, some of her furniture and belongings, as well as pictures, were brought into her room. As well as her beloved needlepoint chair. She was more out of Bickford Village than in it. That is, in the one or other hospital.

I, Gerhard her brother, come to following conclusion: Living alone isn’t good for any and no person. We humans are "social creatures“and need each other, if we like each other or not. Nevertheless, Doris needed “people“, but for some reason or other, didn’t have the energy she had in earlier / younger, years, to get out and get acquainted with others.

There were neighbors and above all, Mary Ann and Dale, but that wasn’t enough to keep that flame aglow, what makes life worthwhile living. Please, the last mentioned, do not take that personally and I’m sure you won’t.

And last but not least, it is not at all easy for me, her only brother, to be here in Germany and not take part in the funeral / services. Doris and I did say farewell to each other on September 2, the day before I left for my “second home land“, Germany.

This in itself, was hard enough. I am with my thoughts and heart, above all memories, with Doris and all who take part in the services. This will remain until I too, will close my eyes.

Finally, just two words I would like to say: Thank you Doris for caring for our parents and devoting your life for them. I know you did it from the bottom of your heart. You did it your way.

And once again, thank you Mary Ann and Dale for taking care of Doris. For all others, thank you for taking part in saying farewell to Doris.

With all this said, this closes the chapter: Remembering Doris

Gerhard Wanhorst

P.S. Somehow this also, closes MY chapter of this book title.]

A visitation for Doris will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, Indiana 46307. A funeral service will occur Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 12:00 PM, 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, Indiana 46307. An interment will occur Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Crown Point, IN.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Wanhorst family.