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1917 Katharina 2010

Katharina Doerfer

February 16, 1917 — February 17, 2010

DOERFER, Katharina
Of Portage Katharina Käthe Doerfer died peacefully Wednesday afternoon, February 17, 2010 at Wynwood of Portage, the day following a heartfelt gathering to celebrate her 93rd birthday. She was born February 16, 1917 in Remagen, Germany the daughter of Peter & Sybilla Reuter. Käthe was united in marriage October 25, 1943 to Erich Doerfer. They immigrated to America in June of 1953 with their son, Manfred Fred, age 5. In the year to follow they welcomed their nephew, Siegfried Doerfer with family into their home to help them also begin a new life to build the American dream. Together with family members and friends they founded the German-American Club of Kalamazoo. There they enjoyed more than 50 years of great music, food and drink while promoting and preserving the traditions of the German culture. Käthe, like many of the family women, worked at Jolly Kids Togs making children's clothing and was later employed by Doubleday Bros.In the early 1960's, Erich & Käthe continued their dream with building a new home, residing in Galesburg next door to two of Erich's eleven siblings. Käthe loved road traveling with her husband touring North America.
Prior to her husband's passing in 1980 they moved to their final home in Portage where Käthe continued her passion for nature by tending to her roses and feeding the birds. It wouldn't be unusual to find her on top of her house inspecting her roof and cleaning the gutters. She touched the hearts of many friends, relatives and neighbors. Preceding her in death; Erich, her loving husband of 37 years; two sons, Julius Wolfgang 1946-1947 and Manfred Rudolf 1948-1986; two brothers, Winand 1910-1926 and Matthias 1907-1969 and one sister, Anna Fleshhut 1915-1996. She is survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-4 PM at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM Monday at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 1747 W. Milham Rd. with Pastor Paul Nuechterlein officiating. Interment will follow in Galesburg Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorials in Katharina's memory may be directed to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Please visit www.langelands.com for online guestbook, memories and condolence for the family.
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