Doris Pennell

Doris Pennell, age 91 of Holland passed away Sunday, January 21, 2024. Doris Pennell loved her family and friends and built her life around her Christian faith. She was born in Lucas, Michigan on the family farm as Doris Nell Lucas on February 16, 1932. Her family had lived in the Cadillac area for many generations. At that time. She was the youngest of six children. A few years later, she had a younger sister and another younger brother. Sadly, all of the eight and all the spouses except Harley Rillema have now passed to be with their heavenly father. Art and Nell Lucas, Jake and Esther Lucas, Tom and Betty Dehaan, Harold and Char Lucas, Hank and Esther Betten, Ada Rillema, and Bob and Dorothy Lucas. In December 1941, her parents Tom and Anne Lucas were listening to the Radio and learned about the Pearl Harbor attack. They knew that their boys were going off to war. Ten year old Doris and 12 year old Esther became the farm hands. Doris did not like outdoor farm work. She especially hated cats as they harassed her when she milked the cows. Doris much preferred the home making arts and developed an appreciation for cooking, baking, knitting, sewing, etc. Thankfully, the boys all returned from the war. Doris graduated from Northern Michigan Christian High School in 1950. A few years later, she and her Uncle John traveled out west to Washington and California, and then southwest to New Mexico to visit family. They traveled by train and Uncle John was a wonderful traveling companion. He took his responsibility of keeping the returning soldiers from being too forward with Doris seriously. Doris moved to the Grand Rapids area following her older siblings and worked at Keeler Brass in the office after graduation from high school. Doris married in 1954 and had six children and raised them with a Christian education in Zeeland, Michigan. She taught them that they could succeed with hard work and perseverance. Being polite and kind was very important in her household. “Go to your room until you can be a decent human being” was often heard in her home. If you can’t say something nice, do not say anything at all” was often said with a stern look. She was active in her church, Bethel Christian Reformed Church. She taught 4H and supported and participated in any activities that involved her children. Doris started working at Herman Miller part time when her six children were young and moved to full time when they were in school full time. She worked at Herman Miller in Payroll until retirement. Her attention to detail and patience with people served her well in this position. She also learned to golf during this period of time and joined the weekly golf league. Doris married Jerry Pennell in 1975. Jerry had seven children in the same range as Doris’ six children. Her organization skills were well utilized in running a very large household. The children were well fed, dressed and had the tools needed to succeed in life. She loved all her children, and often spoke about them fondly. The family joined First Reformed Church in Zeeland and later Jerry and Doris joined Central Wesleyan Church when they moved to the Holland area. After retirement, Doris and Jerry became snow birds spending many winters traveling to Florida and Arizona with Arizona being their favorite winter spot. Doris engaged in painting and other crafts which she thoroughly enjoyed. They had a broad network of travel friends from all over Michigan. Doris was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry Pennell, in 2006, her daughter Debra Miller in 2001, her step-son Jerry Pennell, Jr in 2022, her step-daughter, Joy in 2022, her son-in-law Richard Brooks in 2022, sister-in-law, Helyne Pennell as well as the siblings mentioned above. She is survived by: Children: James Walters (Elaine) of Zeeland, MI; Janice Brooks of Ballwin, MO; Gary Walters (Cheryl) of Holland, MI; Beverly Bekius (Roger) of Zeeland, MI; and Rick Walters (Vicky) of Zeeland, MI; Son-in-law Mike Miller Stepchildren: Jay Pennell (Debra) of Rose City, MI; Jill Leask of Traverse City; Judy Taylor (Stan) of Grafton, ND; Jane Pennell of Traverse City; and Brent Pennell of Traverse City, MI; daughter-in-law Donna Pennell. Brother-in-law: Hank Pennell of Traverse City, MI. She is survived by over 50 grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved them all and appreciated all their strengths and differences. Doris will be greatly missed but her legacy of showing kindness and love will live on in her children. Visitation will be 5-8 pm Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 South State Street, Zeeland. The funeral service will be 10:30 am Friday, January 26, 2024, in the chapel at Central Wesleyan Church, 446 West 40th Street. Interment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Holland or Resthaven. www.yntemafh.com

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Doris Pennell

February 16, 1932 - January 21, 2024