Edith Gertrud Doerry

1933 - 2024

Edith Gertrud (Penner) Doerry, age 90, Manhattan KS, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Meadowlark Hills. She was born on September 28, 1933 in Rudnerweide, Germany (now Rudniki, Poland) to Mennonite farmers Walter and Gertrud (Suckau) Penner.

Until the end of World War II, she lived on her family's farm with her parents, sister Dora, brother Artur, and grandfather David Penner. She enjoyed living on the farm and going to school. With the arrival of Soviet troops in January 1945, her life was upended. Her father was a prisoner of war in the West and her family was soon evicted from their farm. The German schools were permanently closed. In 1946 they were forced to live in abandoned houses and scrounged for food. In 1947, after a very rough winter, Edith and her family were deported to the Soviet sector of Germany (which would become East Germany). They did not stay there long. She, with her mother and siblings escaped to what would become West Germany in September 1947 to joyfully reunite with her father in Stinstedt on the North Sea; they had been apart for about two and a half years. In 1949 she moved to Hamburg, first as household help for the pastor of the Mennonite Church, then as an apprentice seamstress.

In November 1951, she met Wulf Doerry who was in the process of emigrating to the United States. In 1953 Wulf, who had settled in Omaha, Nebraska, and Edith started writing letters to each other. In 1954 Edith completed her apprenticeship (graduated at the top of her class) and Wulf asked her to come to the United States. On August 6th, 1955, she arrived in New York City onboard the troopship U.S.S. General W.C. Langfitt. A few days later she was in Omaha to begin a new chapter in her life. On August 27, 1955 Wulf and Edith married in Omaha.

Wulf and Edith soon moved to Chicago where Wulf attended the American Institute of Baking followed by the start of his research baking career with Swift and Company. Their oldest son, Armin, and oldest daughter, Karen were born in Chicago. The growing family soon moved to Sauk Village, Illinois. Another daughter, Hilda and son Norbert were born within a few years. Edith became a U.S. citizen in February 1962.

Wulf's career would take the family to Wayne, Michigan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Overland Park, Kansas, and finally to Manhattan, Kansas. While living in Wayne, Michigan, Edith took adult education classes and finally graduated from High School when she was 38 years old. In Overland Park, Edith attended Johnson County Community College and graduated with an Associate's Degree in Accounting. In Manhattan, Edith put her degree to work at several local businesses with bookkeeping and income tax preparation.

Edith and Wulf enjoyed traveling all over the United States, Canada, and Europe; many photo albums attest to their adventures. At home, Edith took pleasure in tending the gardens, sewing, and hosting the family gatherings. In 2009 Wulf suffered a stroke and moved to Via Christi in Manhattan for nursing care. When she was able, Edith would visit Wulf twice a day to keep him company and to ensure all his needs were taken care of. Wulf passed away in 2014. Several years later in 2017, Edith moved from her home of 36 years to Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan.

In addition to her sister Dora and brother Artur (Betty), Edith is survived by her children: son Dr. Armin (Charla) Doerry of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Dr. Karen Doerry of Warrensburg, MO; daughter Hilda Biselx (Claude) of Sensine, Switzerland; and son Dr. Norbert (Liz) Doerry of Burke, VA; ten grandchildren: Dr. Nicole (Scott) Spaulding, Crystal (Phil) Londo, and Alex (Magdalena) Doerry; Landon Demel; Michael, Joseph, John, and Myriam Biselx; and Grace and Nick Doerry; and nine great-grandchildren: Taylor, Brynna, and Gavin Spaulding, Bobby and Trevor Londo, Colt and Sloane Doerry, Aria White, and Walter Lester.

A celebration of Edith's life will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM, and the memorial service beginning at 2:00 PM, at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Nature Conservancy Kansas Chapter in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502