Dorris Elizabeth Doutt

Dorris “Betty” Elizabeth Doutt, 91, of Bridgman, passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2016, at Woodland Terrace Senior Living Center. A Celebration of Life Service will be take place on Friday, Novemeber 2, 2016 at 11:30 A.M. at Saron Lutheran Church, 510 Main St., St. Joseph, with Pastor Joan Oleson officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 10:30 A.M. until time of service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home or the Alzheimer Foundation. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Dorris Elizabeth Doutt was a long-time resident of Alpena, Michigan, before moving to Stevensville in 2009. Dorris was born on March 5, 1925 in Warren, Ohio to Frank and Dorris (Fox) Dicks and grew up on her parent’s farm and worked in their farm market in Warren. Her brother, Bill, preceded her in death in 2015. She was known as “Betty” to her family and friends in Ohio. There, she learned to play the piano, and she excelled as a student, becoming salutatorian of her high school class. After graduating, she attended business college. While working as a payroll clerk in a factory during WWII, Dorris met Kingsley Doutt, an engineer in the same factory. They were married September 30, 1945. They lived briefly in Warren, where their first child was born, and in Cortland Ohio, followed by a 3-year stay in Detroit. In 1952, a job offer in Alpena, Michigan took the family north to where they added two more children to their family. Dorris and Kingsley remained in Alpena together, until Kingsley’s death in 1999. During those years, Dorris taught Sunday school, served as church treasurer and as a committee person. Throughout her life, she treated family and friends to her wonderful cooking. She was especially proud of her membership and work with League of Women Voters. Her study of area sink holes was recognized accomplishment. She was a member and president of her investment club and member of Eastern Star. She and Kingsley ran Air Devices, an engineering company, together until his death. Dorris is survived by her children: Cheryl (Jack) Houser, Clifford (Betty) Doutt and Wendy (Tom Mager) Clark; six grandchildren: Mackenzie Pentecost, Jennifer Busch, Matthew Houser, Steven Doutt, Phillip Doutt and Emily Clark; three great-grandchildren: Carlos Pentecost, Xavier Pentecost and Isaiah Busch.