PORTLAND — Doris Ursula Dressel, 78, died Dec. 25, following a brief illness.

She was born in Manhattan on July 22, 1935, the only child of Sally and Robert Knuepfer. She graduated from Walton High School, class of 1953, in New York City. She then attended Hunter College. In September of 1958 she married the love of her life, Herman O. Dressel, who predeceased her in 1988.

Prior to moving to Yarmouth, she lived in Huntington, Long Island, N.Y. and Lynnfield, Mass., where she raised her son, Douglas, and was active in several local Lutheran churches and in the community where her son graduated from high school.

In 1997, she moved to Yarmouth to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law and their growing family, and she became an attentive grandmother to three grandchildren. Her outgoing and giving nature made it easy for her to develop and maintain many friendships as she settled into her new community. She participated in the Yarmouth Village Improvement Society and the Casco Bay Newcomers for many years. During this time, she became a member of the First Lutheran Church in Portland, where she loved to care for the sanctuary and sacristy.

She had a nurturing spirit, not only for her family and friends, but also her flower garden and various stray cats and dogs who found a home in the Dressel household. She especially enjoyed time spent with her longtime and new friends, whether it was visiting the local theater plays and concerts, staying at home gardening or cooking some of her favorite authentic German dishes. She will be remembered for the great love she had for her husband and her family, her openness and willingness to be of help to others in need, and her ability to speak forthrightly with kindness.

She is survived by her son, Douglas Dressel and wife, Ina, and their three children, Christina, Sarah and Matthew, all of Yarmouth; brother-in-law, Lester Schlumpf; and an extended family of nephews and a niece.

A funeral service was held Dec. 30 at First Lutheran Church, Portland. Burial followed in Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield, Mass. 

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to the Sacristy/Sanctuary Fund, First Lutheran Church, 132 Auburn St., Portland, ME 04103.

Sidebar Elements

---

Dressel