Doris Kitchel

Doris Jean Kitchel

October 21, 1937-December 29, 2025

Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Doris Jean Kitchel passed away December 29 with her daughters at her side. She was born and lived most of her life in Lansing, middle child of Velma Eberly (d. 1994) and Arthur Kuerbitz (d. 1961), sister to Ann Cenich (d. 2018) and David Kuerbitz (Gina). Doris graduated from Walter French Junior High and Sexton High School, and attended Lansing Business University, where she met her future husband Paul K Kitchel (d. 2000). Married in 1956, they lived in Holt, raising their children, while Doris also gardened, canned, and became an accomplished seamstress, specializing in custom bridal gowns.

Survivors include daughters Karen Kitchel (Gary Keene) of Ventura, CA, Katherine Prange (Craig) of Onondaga, MI, Susan Sheldon (David) of Traverse City, MI, and JoAnn Kitchel (Christopher Hipp) of Mont Vernon, NH; grandchildren Amanda Prange, Madeline McCarthy (Sean), Casey Prange, Ford Sheldon (Andrea), Emma Belan (Christian), Lily Hipp and Jackson Hipp; great-grandchildren Clara, Ezra, Braeden, Morgan, Owen, and Kissane.

In her later years, Doris enjoyed widespread travel by RV, train, and cruise ships, exploring Mackinac Island, Niagara Falls, Alaska, California, Santa Fe, the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, the Panama Canal, and Japan. Doris was a life long member of Christ Lutheran Church in Lansing until she moved to the Bridgeview Senior Apartments in Eaton Rapids. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 31 at the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids.