On Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, Doris Haesemeyer went to be with the Lord. She was 93 years young. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Albert Haesemeyer and Louise Licht Haesemeyer, as well as her sister, Margaret Haesemeyer (Andrew) Novosad and niece Deborah Novosad (John) Bartuska. Known as Auntie to many, Doris was the fond aunt to Steven (Susan) Novosad and Russell (Gail) Novosad. The great aunt of Laura (Chris) Bartuska, Carolyn Bartuska, Jack Bartuska, and Sara (Filip) Novosad Kojic, Andrew Novosad, Alyssa Novosad, and Nicholas (Kaitlyn) Novosad and Kathryn Novosad. She was a great, great aunt to William and Abby Dervinis and Owen, Emily, Margaret and Zachary Novosad.
Doris was born in Stanwood, Iowa. After attending Stanwood High School, she went on to graduate from the University of Iowa. She moved from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Elmhurst in 1956, where she worked as an executive secretary for the O-T-D Corporation until retirement.
Doris loved and lived life to its fullest. She was a season subscription holder to the Lyric Opera and CSO. Besides those venues, Doris along with her sister and friends would attend many plays throughout the suburbs always enjoying lunch or dinner afterwards. Before and after retirement, Doris and a group of friends traveled the world, visiting six of the seven continents. She took up the game of golf after retirement and was in a Tuesday morning golf league up until two years ago. It is during this time she met and became good friends with Pat, Peg, and Barb.
Doris was a huge University of Iowa football and basketball fan. She rarely missed a Hawkeyes, Bears, Bulls or Cubs game on TV. She only complained when there wasn’t a game on TV today!
Doris lived in her house in Elmhurst for 50 years. She was the matriarch of the neighbor. Everyone loved Doris and admired her gardens. She made many special friends in the neighborhood by walking her dogs and always bringing a plate of cookies to new neighbors. This is how she met Amy who became her wonderful friend. She was also very thankful for her good friend and handyman, Bill. Both Amy and Bill along with many other neighbors looked out for her which helped her stay in her house until the end. On her 93rd birthday last year, due to COVID-19, a drive-by birthday parade was arranged, complete with a police escort.
One of Doris’ special requests was, “At the closing hymn, I want the organ to play ‘Ode to Joy’ from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony because it will be my most joyous moment to be going to heaven to be with my Lord and I want all of you to be joyous too.”
A memorial service will be held later at Redeemer Lutheran Church due to Covid-19. Interment will be at Stanwood Cemetery, Stanwood, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, Doris has requested that donations be sent to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 123 E St Charles Rd, Elmhurst, IL 60126.
For information – Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – The Ahlgrim Chapel. Info: 630-834-3515 or www.ElmhurstFH.com.
