Doris Anna Marie (Meyer) Kuhlmann, 85, passed away Thursday, February 21, 2013 at the Deseret Health and Rehab Center of Kensington, Kansas.
Doris was born on February 22, 1927 in Athol, Kansas, the daughter of Rudolph Carl and Lydia Marie (Sasse) Meyer. She married Vernon Harry Kuhlmann on April 12, 1948 at St. John Lutheran Church, Athol, KS and shared close to 65 years of marriage together. They were blessed with four children, Kenneth, Garen, Mildred and Teresa.
She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, was a past member of the church funeral committee, women's choir, taught 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday school all of St. John Lutheran Church, Athol, VFW Women's Auxiliary of Smith Center and the Literature Club of both Athol and Smith Center.
When Doris was a young lady she worked as a nurses aid at the old hospital in Smith Center which is now the Ingleboro Mansion. She never had formal medical training to work as a nurses aid; however, she was affectionately named the "Witch Doctor" by her son-in-law Terry. Her family said she could treat many things by the phases of the moon and used this for such things as; potty training, planting gardens and was said she was very accurate. Doris was a great seamstress, making dresses for her girls, suits for her boys, wedding dresses, cheer leader outfits, school musical uniforms and sewed for many people over the years, wearing out a sewing machine or two in the process. She was a homemaker, but also worked at Ben Franklin in Phillipsburg for many years and was in charge of the fabric department. She also sold Amway and was a great sales lady, there wasn't anything Amway didn't have to fix or clean something with. When Vernon had the implement company, she was known as his collection agent. Doris made quilts for every grandchild for graduation gifts, the grand kids would tell her what they would like and she would put their ideas together. She made quilts in their school colors, one with sunflowers and also one with horses. Doris raised chickens for eggs, cows for milk and cream, she also canned vegetables out of her garden. She had a great memory for numbers, she could remember everybody's birthdays, anniversaries and special dates. During Doris and Vernon's marriage they traveled to Army reunions to see Vernon's WWII buddies, they enjoyed their card groups, square dancing and even bowled together on a team. The girls both said she was a great cook, Mildred would help her throw meals together without a recipe; however, Teresa put a crimp in that style of cooking when she started cooking with them, it was by recipe only!
Doris is survived by her husband Vernon of Kensington, two sons, Kenneth (Daphne) Kuhlmann of Lavina, MT, Garen (Micki) Kuhlmann of Smith Center; two daughters, Mildred (Tom) Hadley of Phillipsburg, Teresa (Terry) Vanderplas of Miami, AZ; two brothers, Gilbert (Sharon) Meyer of Smith Center, Raymond (Bertha) Meyer of Bertrand, NE; a sister, Marlene Meyer of Houston, TX; a brother-in-law, Gilbert Kuhlmann of Kensington; a sister-in-law, Jessie Meyer of Gothenburg, NE; 17 grandchildren,17 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Alfred Meyer and a sister, Lela (Gerald) Bethke.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, Athol, KS with Pastor Dave Kramer presiding. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center and Wednesday prior to service at the church. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery, Athol, KS. Memorials may be given to St. John Lutheran Church of Athol and/or Shriners Hospitals for Children in care of the funeral chapel. For online condolences, please visit www.allfaithsfuneralchapel.com. All Faiths Funeral Chapel of Smith Center is in charge of arrangements.