Doris M. Gantzer, 91, of Valparaiso, formerly of Kenosha, Wis. passed away peacefully Friday, January 2, 2009 at the VNA Hospice with her son Jeff and “daughter” in-law Terry at her side. 

She was born March 16, 1917 in Kenosha, Wis. the daughter of  George C. and Mary (Leuck) Friedl, both of whom preceded her in death.  

On August 22, 1942 at Mt. Horeb, Wis. she married Verne Gantzer who preceded her in death on April 4, 1980.

Doris is survived by two sons, Jim (YangXiao Li) Gantzer of Sheboygan, Wis. and Jeff (Terry) Gantzer of Valparaiso; three grandchildren, Andrea (Dr. Jeff) Wright of Fishers, Dan of Cincinnati, Ohio and Greg of Valparaiso; special friend, Ann Fogel and lifelong friend Vene Cermack, numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. 

She was preceded in death by her infant son, Timothy; four brothers, Cletus, Carl, George and Jack Friedl and two sisters, Mariel White and Jane Dreibillia.

Doris was a lifelong resident of Kenosha until she relocated to Valparaiso in 2005 to be with her family. She resided at the Pines Village Retirement Center where she was an active resident with many senior friends. Doris graduated with a Nursing Degree from St. Therese School of Nursing in Waukegan, Ill. and continued with a BS from DePaul University in Chicago. Doris was the director of Nursing of the Kenosha County VNA where she proudly retired in 1979. She was a member of the St. Therese Alumni, the St. Mary’s Church Friendly Center and Senior Citizens in Kenosha. 

She enjoyed volunteering when ever needed at the Shalom Center and INNS program in Kenosha. Doris loved to travel with friends and took many vacations with her son Jeff and his family. They went river rafting down the Rio Grande at Big Bend N.P. and went through Everglade N.P. on an air boat. Doris would challenge anything once and spent 29 years of retirement enjoying bridge, earning Bridge Master Status, knitting, reading, ceramics, crossword puzzles, cooking and baking for friends and family. Her three grandchildren were her pride and joy, spending time with school events and many milestones. 

Visitation will be Saturday, Jan. 10, from 9 until 11 a.m. with the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. both at Hansen-Landman Funeral Home in Kenosha, Wis. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be from 1-2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11 at the Pines Retirement Center, 3307 Pines Village Circle, Valparaiso. 

Memorials may be made to the VNA Hospice Center of Porter County. 

Posted 1/6/2009