Doris Brackett

Doris Brackett passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on November 1, 2012 at Grand Traverse Pavilions at the amazing age of 108. She was born January 20, 1904 to Hiram and Emma Raymond near Dundee, Michigan. She had two brothers and two sisters, all of whom preceded her in death. Doris graduated from Dundee High School in June 1923, after which she attended Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) and Cleary Business College, Ypsilanti, Michigan, graduating in the Fall of 1925. On June 18, 1927, she married Arthur Brackett of Evart, Michigan and they resided in Wayne, Michigan where their one and only daughter, Genilee, was born on January 29, 1929. They continued living in Wayne until the Summer of 1939 when they moved to Traverse City where her husband was employed at the Traverse City State Hospital until his retirement in November 1968. He passed away on November 30, 1969 at a very young age after suffering from a heart attack. Her husband had been a very avid fisherman and she loved it too and they spent many pleasant hours on Grand Traverse Bay fishing for bass. For several years, they joined their neighbors, Frank and Connie Kucera, for walleye fishing in Canada and road trips to Mexico. In later years, Doris kept herself busy working at various paid and volunteer positions around Traverse City. She enjoyed blueberry and raspberry picking and baking pies and cookies. Doris was an avid letter writer. She believed staying in touch with all generations helped “keep her young while growing old.” Doris was a lifelong sports enthusiast and rarely missed a Detroit Tigers or Red Wings game - even if on the West Coast. For several years when the Red Wings Hockey Team visited Traverse City, she loved helping at Training Camp. Doris enjoyed game shows and attempted to participate in them and until recently doing crossword puzzles was the first order of her day. In September 2006, while 102, she accepted an invitation to ride on a Zamboni during one of the Red Wings’ games and found the opportunity “a ball.” In the Spring of 2007, she was honored by the W.I.B.C. Bowling Association having bowled at Timberlanes for about 30 years. After her husband’s death, Doris made her home at the Fair Street Apartments where she had many good times with her neighbors. She stayed with her daughter and son-in-law, Gen and John Oberpeul in Bellaire from 2003 to the Fall of 2009, when she returned to Fair Street for a few months until she moved to Woodside Senior Apartments in Traverse City. Doris’ family includes her daughter, Genilee (John) Oberpeul of Bellaire; grandchildren, Richard (Ann) Schuknecht of Ada; Ronald (Kirsten Keilitz) Schuknecht, Patricia (Ed) Schram, Peggy (Charles) Ellibee, all of Traverse City; Rose (Rick) Eichmueller of Duluth, Minnesota; Joan (Bill) Fleet of Bellaire; John (Deborah) Oberpeul of Brighton; and Ginna (Jeff) Holmes of Alma. Doris is also survived by many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Doris’ family would like to give special thanks to all of the friends and care providers who have visited with and helped care for Doris through all of the years, especially in the past few months. A memorial gathering for friends and family will take place from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made in Doris’ name to the Grand Traverse Hockey Association, PO Box 5713, Traverse City, MI 49696 or to a charity of one’s choice.

Doris Brackett

January 20, 1904 - November 1, 2012