Doris U. Knuepfer Dressel

Portland – Doris Ursula Dressel, 78, formerly of Yarmouth, ME, passed from this life to the next on Christmas Day December 25, 2013, following a brief illness. She was born in Manhattan on July 22, 1935, the only child of Sally (Heilmman) and Robert Knuepfer. She graduated from Walton High School, Class of 1953, in New York City. She then attended Hunter College and in September 1958 she married the love of her life, Herman O. Dressel, who predeceased her in 1988.

Prior to moving to Yarmouth in 1997, she lived in Huntington, Long Island, NY and Lynnfield, MA, where she raised her son Douglas and was active in several local Lutheran churches (Lynnfield and Andover) and in the community where her son graduated from high school.

In 1997, she moved to Yarmouth, ME to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law and their growing family where she became an attentive grandmother to three grandchildren. Her outgoing and giving nature made it easy for her to develop and maintain many friendships as she settled into her new community where she actively participated in the Yarmouth Village Improvement Society and the Casco Bay Newcomers for many years. During this time she became an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Portland where she loved to care for the sanctuary and sacristy.

Doris had a nurturing spirit, not only for her family and friends, but also her home flower garden and various stray cats and dogs who were fortunate enough to find a home in the Dressel household. She especially enjoyed time spent with her past and new friends, whether it was visiting the local theater plays and concerts, or staying at home gardening or cooking some of her favorite authentic German dishes. She will be remembered for the great love she had for her husband and her family, her openness and willingness to be of help to others in need, and her ability to speak forthrightly with kindness.

Doris is survived by her son, Douglas Dressel and his wife Ina and their three children: Christina, Sarah and Matthew, all living in Yarmouth, and Lester Schlumpf, a brother-in-law living in Long Island, NY. An extended family of nephews and a niece live throughout the country.

A funeral service will be held at First Lutheran Church, 132 Auburn Street, Portland on Monday December 30 at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield, Mass. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with Doris’ family.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Doris’ memory to the Sacristy/Sanctuary Fund, First Lutheran Church, 132 Auburn Street, Portland, ME 04103