Doris VanderGiesen

Doris VanderGiesen, 80, died Thursday February 23, 2023, at the Hillsboro Community Hospital, at Hillsboro, KS. She was born September 28, 1942, in Beloit, to Daniel and Lucile (Kimble) VanderGiesen.
Doris graduated from Downs High School, Downs, KS, in 1960. She earned her bachelor's degree from Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina, in Education and French in 1964 and master's degree from Wichita State University, Wichita, in secondary education in 1983. Doris taught four levels of French in the middle and high schools of Hutchinson, KS, for 39 years! During this time, she sponsored over 450 students to Europe, taking 18 trips. During the summers, she attended graduate classes in France, Canada, Hawaii and Kansas.
In 1985, Doris was named the Davis Foundation High School Teacher of the Year in Hutchinson. In 1998, she was selected as Kansas Foreign Language Teacher of the Year.
Doris was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, Altrusa International, the BL Chapter of PEO International and HARSPA. She was an avid golfer and walker, played a bit of poker and belonged to book clubs.
Doris is survived by: sisters, Bonnie Thompson, Elgin, IL, and Marsha (Robert) Voss, Georgetown, TX; nieces, Jana Thompson, Sara (Brian) Wildenradt, and Kellie (Jonathon) Pfertner; nephew, Derrick (Kristina) Voss; great-nephews, Charlie and Cameron Pfertner and Grant Voss; and great-nieces, Hannah and Emmerson Voss.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved dog, Callie.
Celebration of Life will be 1:30 pm April, 28, 2023, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, with Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Private family inurnment will take place in the church columbarium. Family will greet friends after the service. Friends may sign the book from 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church or Hospice & HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.