Doris Jahnke (nee Doris Mary Alford) died April 17 in Orange City, Florida, at the age of 96. Born in Wausau, Wisconsin, Doris was the daughter of Amos and Daisy (Thornton) Alford. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Gust F. Jahnke, brothers, John and Robert Alford, and sister Margaret Alford. Doris graduated from Wausau Senior High School at the age of 16 and studied at Ripon College for two years prior to her marriage in 1947. Doris and Gust retired to Orange City in 1989 and lived in a house built and previously owned by Doris' maternal uncle, Ken Thornton.

Doris was employed as secretary to the associate director, Wausau Technical School, Wausau, Wisconsin, secretary to the president, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI and interim church secretary, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, New York. She was a talented writer, earning awards during her school years, and finding outlets for her creativity through penning many letters, articles, a book about her travels, and countless insightful and entertaining Bible study lessons. She loved music, dancing, and movies and had a delightful sense of humor. She would be overcome with tears of laughter watching humorous television programs. Doris also avidly followed national and world events, spending her Friday evenings viewing a line-up of PBS news programming.

Wherever she lived, Doris was an active member of her church choir. For many years, she became substitute "Grandma" to Stetson University student choir members at First Presbyterian, DeLand, gifting them with cards and candy on holidays. She also enjoyed singing in the Stetson Choral Union with her husband. She was a volunteer literacy tutor for over a decade in Orange City.

From 1968-2010, Doris used her considerable organizing skills to recruit, schedule and accompany travelers on more than 75 tours to countries in Europe, the Middle and Far East, Canada, Mexico, and Central America. These Journeys to Understanding were designed for travelers to learn about different cultures and to interact with the people in other countries.

Doris taught Sunday School and led adult Bible Study classes in Wausau, WI, Boulder, Co, Utica, Oswego and Buffalo, NY, Detroit, MI, and DeLand, Fl. She and

her husband convened single young adult fellowship groups at churches in Buffalo, Detroit and Grosse Pointe, MI, arranging weekly speakers and other programs at the church. She also welcomed college students from Africa and Thailand to live in her home while they pursued their education in the U.S.

Doris is survived by her three children: Gail Hull (Peter), Gettysburg, PA, Judith Riga (Joseph), Kenmore, New York, and Mark Jahnke (Susan), Grosse Pointe Shores, MI, seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and her neighbor, friend, and caregiver, Nancy Norris.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, DeLand, FL for their fund for student music scholarships. Doris' cremains will be interred beside those of her husband in the Memory Garden at First Presbyterian Church, DeLand.