Doris Grinder

Doris Mae Grinder was a devoted friend whose generosity and kindness were limitless. She enjoyed many simple moments in life especially her daily routine of feeding the birds each morning as well as enjoying her time with special friends and close family. A faithful person, there simply wasn’t anything that Doris wouldn’t do for someone in need. She lived her life fully and treasured her deep companionship with Norma Woodcox. A long time member of the community she loved, Doris leaves behind many wonderful memories of a life well lived and will be dearly missed.

Reflecting on the 1920’s, it was a period of sustained economic prosperity with a distinctive cultural edge, aptly giving the decade the name of the Roaring Twenties. With the media focused on jazz music and celebrities, especially sports heroes and movie figures, by 1929 the industry was booming until the market crashed that fateful October. Born the same year as the comic character Popeye debuted, Lawrence and Daisy (Barber) Grinder welcomed home their newborn daughter, Doris on January 10, 1929 in Vicksburg, Michigan. Known as the greatest generation, Doris’ life began during a tumultuous time in our nation’s history.

As a young girl, she was the second child of four children born to a paper factory worker and a homemaker. She attended local schools and had a typical childhood of someone growing up during the Great Depression. She valued a hard day’s work and did whatever was needed to pitch in around the family home. Active in softball as a teen, Doris graduated with the Class of 1947 from Vicksburg High School. Soon after high school and following in her father’s footsteps, she took a job with the Simpson Paper Company in Vicksburg where she worked for forty years. She loved her time there and made many long lasting friendships including one with her close friend and companion, Norma Woodcox. The two of them had many commonalities and seemed to enjoy each other’s company which was enough for them to share a life together for more than seventy years.

As an adult, Doris had many special interests. She enjoyed bowling and cheering on her favorite baseball team, the Detroit Tigers. They also enjoyed watching the Detroit Lions and Pistons. Not only did they watch every game but could tell you the stats on every player and tell the coaches what they needed to do to win the game. Above all else, she loved to travel. Doris journeyed to many unique and interesting places during her lifetime. She and Norma traveled the world and visiting all 50 states plus numerous countries including a cruise to Alaska and stay in Hawaii. Some of their most memorable vacations were to the beautiful states of Utah and California. They also took international train trips across Canada and Switzerland. They were both a part of a travel group from Battle Creek and would look forward to their monthly luncheons where discuss their next big adventure. In between the larger trips, they loved to kick off each baseball season with a trip to Florida during spring training. They also liked to ride their bikes around the cozy village of Vicksburg and never turned down an invitation to a family get together. As a matter of fact, Doris and Norma were often the favored guests to visit with and enjoy their homemade broccoli salad! Whenever they were around the family and especially the kids, they loved to entertain. Never one to sit idle, Doris would help build snowmen or catch fireflies with her many nieces and nephews. She loved children and enjoyed each and every one of them. Whenever she had the chance she also loved to attend their special school or sporting events. Her warm personality was savored among her close family and looked forward to her every visit. Traveling, sports, family and friendships were their passions in life.

Frequenting local restaurants was Doris’ favorite pastime and servers knew her well enough to know exactly what she’d order before she even reached their door. Her favorites included, the Rise N’ Dine in Vicksburg, Joy Fong in Portage, and Fisher Lake Inn in Three Rivers. She also loved to listen to country western music and was very comfortable with her daily routine. She mostly enjoyed her time at home where she enjoyed keeping things organized as well as inviting. Throughout her life, Doris had a special way of making everyone around her feel special and loved. She was deeply devoted to her loved ones, and it was easy to see that her family was her greatest source of pride and joy. Described as kind, focused, and family-oriented, she will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her and cherished their time with her.

Doris Grinder, of Vicksburg, MIchigan passed away on Friday, January 20, 2017 at the age 88. Doris is survived by her sister: Betty Butcher; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her companion, Norma Woodcox; parents; and brothers: Charles Grinder and Richard Grinder. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main Vicksburg (269-649-1697). A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 am at the funeral home. Burial at Vicksburg Cemetery. Please visit the webpage for Doris at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read their life stories, sign the guestbook, share a memory and/or photo. Those who wish may make contributions to Generous Hands and/or The Vision Campaign (Vicksburg Bike Trail).