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Doris M. Brasure

Doris Brasure

MARQUETTE, MI – Doris M. Brasure, 98, of Marquette, passed away on Saturday morning, March 7, 2020, at Mill Creek Assisted Living, under the care of her family and Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice.

She was born March 22, 1921, in Pound, Wisconsin, a daughter of the late Herman and Pauline (Murrach) Winecuff. She was a 1938 graduate of Oconto High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Bellin Memorial Hospital’s Nursing Program in 1942. She enjoyed keeping in touch with her classmates, and attended many reunions.

Doris married the Rev. Lloyd G. Brasure on December 26, 1942, he preceded her in death in 2004.

She was employed as a registered nurse at St. Mary Hospital in Livonia, MI and Lockwood Hospital in Petoskey, MI. Doris balanced her career with the needs of her family. She was a role model to many. Any who knew her saw her independence and enjoyed her sense of humor. She continued working into retirement years to be able to use her extra income to do special things for her grandchildren. Doris relocated to Marquette in 2015 to be near her daughter and her family.

Doris and Lloyd traveled the world. They enjoyed visiting their children’s families across the United States. One of their favorite things was attending the International Hot Air Balloon Festival in New Mexico each year. They took several balloons flights there. Her hobbies included sewing, gardening, knitting Christmas stockings for her grandchildren & great-grandchildren, cooking for events, baking cinnamon rolls for Room at the Inn, church and bake sales, written correspondence and sending postcards from their many travels. She and her oldest sister wrote a letter each week for years. She also kept in touch through email and Facebook. She and Lloyd attended every event they could to see the grandchildren play soccer, the piano, run track or lead worship at church. They never came empty handed, there was always a picnic or a cooler of food. We will miss the late afternoon phone calls that there are chocolate cupcakes or brownies waiting for the great grandchildren. She was also very physically active well into her nineties, swimming and walking. She was often seen walking all over Northville, where they still had numerous friends. In Marquette, she walked the bike path near Mill Creek, at least a mile each day. She loved walking the Dome during the winter and was able to walk there one last time 2 weeks before her passing.

Lloyd and Doris had 4 children, Diane Ruth Edwardson (deceased), Neal G. Brasure (Mickey) of Ada, MI, Leslianne Brasure (Scott Liggett) of Marquette, MI and Dr. L. Wayne Brasure (Leann)of Albuquerque, NM; 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. They were “parents” to many others that they loved as their own and were called Grandma and Grandpa by many.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Diane and her four siblings.

Cremation has taken place. As per Doris’ request, there will be no formal funeral. The family will meet in Omena MI to scatter ashes over Omena Bay, and place an urn in the Omena Columbarium, with Lloyd’s ashes. Omena was a special part of their family history, as their children and grandchildren spent many summers there while Lloyd served as guest pastor of the historical Omena Presbyterian Church.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Mill Creek. Doris lived in an independent home there for 4 years and moved into the Assisted Living in the Spring of 2019. The hardest part of that move was giving up her oven. The kitchen staff so kindly offered the use of the Mill Creek kitchen. She continued to bake with family until Christmas.

Lake Superior Hospice was wonderful to her, and helped her live her life comfortably during the last couple months. The gifts they bring to their patients is beyond description. We will be forever grateful to their compassion and respectful, tender care.

Memorial may be given in Doris’ name to the Omena Presbyterian church, PO Box 187, Omena MI 49674, or Presbytery Point Camp, 211 County Rd 1C, Michigamme MI 49861.

The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the family, where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.