Doris Louise (Cluever) Thrane

Doris Louise (Cluever) Thrane, 96, passed away on Easter which was fitting as it was Resurrection Sunday. Born on May 28,1926 to Sallie Joe and Walter R Cluever. Doris married the love of her life, Gilman Thrane, Jr on November 1,1947 and enjoyed 68 years of marriage until his passing in February 2016. She is survived by three daughters: Deborah Thrane Kanar (Robert), Leone White (John), and Carol Thrane (Robert Martin); seven grandchildren: Matthew Kanar, Andrea Johnson (Christopher), Lydia Reichelt (Jens), Andrew White (Susan), Laura Lenik (Jonathan), Aubrey Martin Thrane (Samuel Stone), and Madison Martin Thrane; eleven great grandchildren: Priscilla, Tyler, Oliver, Blakely, Vera, Felix, Camilla, Carson, Parker, Addison, and Ellie.

Doris was born at St Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City. Her family moved to Chicago when she was around 3 years old. She attended the University of Illinois for 2 1/2 years where she met Gil, known then as “Chooch”, on a blind date. They married on November 1, 1947. She managed the household and raised 3 daughters while Gil traveled for his work. She returned to college, when her youngest, Carol, started school earning her BA in education in 1968.

She taught middle school in Dexter Mi for 19 years receiving many awards for excellence including Teacher of the Year award. One former student has kept in touch with her. She managed to raise her daughters, run a household, teach middle school, attend her daughters events all while earning her Masters in Education/Reading Specialist.

Doris and Gil moved to Ann Arbor, MI in 1967 and enjoyed the college town until 1992. They were involved in their church community serving as Elder/Deacon, sitting on various committees and singing in the choir. They were active in a group called Forty Diners and had an offshoot of that group that they traveled with calling themselves the “Too Too’s”.

After retirement they moved to the Atlanta area. They later moved to Kansas City in 2001. Both moves were motivated by the desire to be near family. In 2008, they moved into a villa at Lakeview Village Retirement Community where they met and became good friends with many people and social groups.

Doris volunteered at Village (Presbyterian) Sewing Group where she used her sewing and knitting skills to create articles used by many non profit organizations including hats for NICU babies. She continued this work independently with the Chit Chat and Sew Forth group at Lakeview Village. Doris made her own wedding dress and made Xmas stockings for family members that are cherished.

She lived 4 years after a major heart attack and also survived Covid. Grandkids were impressed with her stamina and her wit.

Doris was loved by her children, son in laws, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and extended family as well as her beloved Village community. Her nieces, Schoobie Haas and Susan Hall, adored her. Doris welcomed others into her family and made them feel special. Her daughters’ friends from long ago still remark on how comfortable and nurtured they felt in her home. She would feed people, hug them and talk to them, even if her daughters weren’t at home!

She mastered the use of an iPad and used it to stay up to date with friends via email, play Words With Friends and Wordle. She loved puzzles, bringing that to her community at LakeView. She enjoyed licorice and all things sweet and created her own personalized cards on the computer for friends and family for all occasions.

Doris will be remembered for her “gift of gab”, her positive attitude, her spirit of gratitude, her desire to learn about and understand others and her deep love for family. Even in her last few years, people remarked at her easy smile and her sparkly eyes. She was the consummate mother and grandmother and her loved ones will carry her forward.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Harvesters-The Community Food Network, Lakeview Village Foundation, or Village Presbyterian Church.

Doris

Outgoing, talkative, compassionate, loving.

Daughter of Sallie Joe and Walter.

Lover of black licorice, friendly folks, well written books, and grandchildren.

Who feels joy in baking special bread for special people,

a long and happy marriage, and having three successful daughters.

Who needs to have friends, creative activities, and love.

Who gives hugs freely, remembers birthdays, and makes others feel appreciated.

Who fears ER visits, husband’s constant pain, and snakes.

Who would like to spend more time with family, have more energy, and be more creative.

A resident of Lakeview Village.

Thrane