It is with great sadness that the family of Doris Emily Graesser announces her passing on February 24, 2019 at home after a brief battle with bile duct cancer.  Doris was born on May 7, 1929, in Forest Hills, NY, to Olga (Reiff) and Herman Schmidt.  She was a graduate of Concordia Junior College, Bronxville, NY, and Hunter College, New York, NY.  On June 26, 1953, she married Carl F. Graesser, Jr.  Doris was a most enthusiastic kindergarten and first grade teacher, until becoming a devoted full-time mother.  As her children grew, she earned a Master’s degree in Human Resources from Webster College, Webster Groves, MO, and worked at Christ Seminary-Seminex, St. Louis, MO, and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, CA, in several roles in support of seminarians.  In retirement she relished traveling, biking, swimming, gardening, hiking and artistic endeavors.  Among her many activities, she served as a docent at the University of California Botanical Garden, specializing in and developing tours for children.  Doris was also an active member of Hope Lutheran Church, following her lifelong passion of teaching Sunday School.  In addition she coordinated the Samaritan (Lay) Ministry program.  Her faith guided her every day.

Doris was predeceased by her beloved husband, Carl, and will be lovingly remembered by her children, Joel of Kauai, HI, and Joy (Richard) of Braintree, MA; her cherished grandchildren Kate and Dan of Braintree, MA; sister-in-law Lois (Bob) of Littleton, MA, and brother-in-law David (Charlotte) of Katy, TX; 13 treasured nieces and nephews; 12 Godchildren; and the multitude of friends with whom Doris maintained beautiful connections for so many years.

A celebration of Doris’ life will be held on Saturday, March 30, at 1 pm at Hope Lutheran Church, 2830 May Road, El Sobrante, CA, 94803.  Those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Doris to Students Rising Above, studentsrisingabove.org, by check:  P.O. Box 192492, San Francisco, CA 94119-2492 or ELCA World Hunger, elca.org/our-work/relief-and-development/ELCA-World-Hunger, or by check: (“ELCA” memo:  World Hunger) P.O. Box 1809, Merrifield, VA  22116-8009.