Doris Lillian (Krause) Fuerstenau, 99, died on her birthday, at 4:30 a.m., May 7, 2020. She moved to Ohio, near her son, Mark and his family, last October, when she was no longer physically able to remain in her own home. She was originally from Richmond, Michigan.

Born on May 7, 1921, to Herman and Wilhelmina (Killian) Krause, She married Charles Fuerstenau and they were married for 69 years. He died in 2009.

During World War II she worked at a factory in Marine City making filters for gas masks. After a short time, she took the Civil Service test and was hired at the Richmond post office where she became assistant postmaster.  

She later became certified librarian and went to work as the librarian at the Will L. Lee Elementary School, and later became the librarian at St. Augustine School in Richmond.  In retirement, she worked as an assistant at the Richmond Public library.  

She also served on the Macomb County Library Board for many years and served as a volunteer reading tutor, teaching adults how to read.  She sang in the choir for many years at Richmond First United Methodist Church, was a member of the Richmond Historical Society, where she served as one of its senior historians.   

Her life story is recounted in an autobiography, “Of Ashes and Soot,” published by Lakeshore Publications last year.

Survivors are a son, Rev. Dr. C. Mark (Donnajean) Fuerstenau, Mount Cory; daughter-in-law Debbie Fuerstenau, Richmond, Michigan; seven grandchildren, Amy Fuerstenau, Sonoma, California, Lauren (Eric) Fuerstenau, Warddrip, Sonoma, California, Harold (Sarah) Charles, Washington, Pennsylvania; Rev. Charles (Stephenie) Fuerstenau, Harrod; Robert M. Fuerstenau, Willow, Alaska; step grandsons, Brad (Casey) Lentz, Rossburg, Ohio; Brian (Erica) Lentz Sidney, Ohio; 17 great grandchildren and numerous great,-great grandchildren.  

In addition to her parents, and her siblings, who included two sisters and five brothers, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie, her son, Joel, great granddaughters Mackenzie and Grace, and longtime friend and “adopted son” Father Raymond Bruck.  

A celebration of life service will be planned once conditions with the COVID-19 restrictions permit.  

Memorial donations can be made to Seven Ponds Nature Center in Dryden, Michigan, The Richmond (Michigan) Historical Society, and Richmond (Michigan) First United Methodist Church. 

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.

Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services in Bluffton is in charge of arrangements.