Doris DeVries

SERVICE CHANGED TO TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Doris was born on June 8, 1925 in Grand Rapids to Andrew and Gertrude (Postma) Boss and lived on the west side with her older sister Annette. Doris was a Charter Member of Westview (formerly Broadway) Christian Reformed Church.

Doris graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High in 1943, and started working right after graduation doing office work at Corduroy Rubber Company. In 1944 Doris met Glenn DeVries at the Coliseum Roller Skating Rink. After skating together, Glenn asked Doris for a date, which was the beginning of a courtship that led to their marriage on May 24, 1946.

They moved into an upstairs apartment on Alpine Avenue and in 1948 were blessed with a son David. After four and a half years they built a house on Myrtle Street, also on the west side of town and in 1951 they welcomed another son Dale to the family. Every Saturday Doris and Glenn and the boys would do something fun together. In the winter they would go ice skating or sledding at Richmond or John Ball Park. In the summer they would go to Grand Haven or Muskegon State Park and have a picnic. On the way home they would always stop for a Dairy Queen cone or a milk shake at Bylsma’s on Leonard St.

Doris was a home maker and stayed home to care for the boys until Dale started school. Then she started working part-time at Purity Cylinder Gases, where Glenn also worked. This lasted for over 30 years until Glenn retired.

Every summer towards the end of August, the family rented a cottage for two weeks on Birch Lake near Traverse City. This gave the family many fond memories! Doris and Glenn also loved to travel and over the years they went on many trips for business and pleasure. They visited Europe and Hawaii three times, and took cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean. They also traveled to Canada and Mexico and all 50 states. In retirement, they also rented a mobile home and wintered on the west coast of Florida for 15 years.

After more than 50 years on Myrtle Street in Grand Rapids, they moved to a condo in Walker. After 4 years in the condo, they finally moved into Covenant Living of the Great Lakes, on Lake Michigan Drive. After only three and a half months of living there, and 60 years of marriage, Glenn went to be with his Lord on February 7, 2007.

Over the next years, Doris was able to spend time with family, getting to know her granddaughters and great granddaughter better. She was always up for a car ride, a stop to Wendy’s, going for a walk, or whatever outing would bring her together with others.

Doris remained at Covenant Living until November 12, 2023, and then she also joined her husband and the Lord.

Throughout her life, Doris was always a much better listener than talker. She once stated that she really just wanted to be a good housewife. She was content in life’s circumstances.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Glenn, her parents Andrew and Gertrude Boss, and many Brothers-in-law and Sisters-In-Law. Doris is the last survivor of this “Greatest Generation” in the family. She is survived by her children David DeVries (Kathy) of Berkeley, California, Dale DeVries (Penny Fowler) of Twin Lake, Michigan, Grand Children Carrie DeVries of Chicago, Illinois, and Janel (Scott) Eikenberry of Muskegon, Michigan, and Great Grand Daughter Sarah Eikenberry of Muskegon, Michigan, and several nieces and nephews. Doris was a Charter Member of Westview Christian Reformed Church, previously Broadway CRC. A Funeral Service will be held at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW on Tuesday, November 28 at 11 AM. Friends are invited to visit with her family beginning at 10 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to West Side Christian School or Covenant Living of the Great Lakes. To read more about Doris, to share a memory or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com