- Date Of Birth: November 23, 1928
- Date Of Death: November 4, 2021
- State: Utah
Doris Hansen Kotter, aka “the come-back kid” or the “puzzle Queen”, excitedly departed this life with joy and peace surrounded by the love of her family and friends, Thursday, November 4, 2021.
Doris was the 8th child, the daughter of Varnick and Birdie Hansen. She was born November 23, 1928 in Brigham City, Utah. She loved growing up in Brigham City. It was the perfect time and place for her, she would often say, “there was no other place like Brigham to grow up in! I just loved it there!”
She is survived by her 4 children: Konnie (Dick) Pacheco, Wayne V. (Heidi) Kotter, David A. (Chrissy) Kotter, Mark G. (Jeanne) Kotter; 9 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Doris was the last of her siblings, she is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gerald L. Kotter of 59 years, her 3 brothers; Earl Hansen, Ned Hansen, Lee Hansen and her 4 sisters; Elma H. Humphreys, Vernal H. Wangsgard, Rayma H. Hess and Irene Hansen.
Her family and friends were the ‘apple of her eye’! They were her beloved treasures! She adored each of you in her own special way towards you. You all were the sparkle in her eye, the spring in her step, and the joy in her voice. She treasured each visit you had with her. Doris herself is a treasure! She was a joy, and a huge inspiration to all of us. She was an adventurer at heart, she was always up to something, some way to bless someone else. Doris had a contagious sense of humor that could cause a person to blush! She created smiles on the faces of people everywhere she went. Her perseverance through many difficult health issues over the years strengthened us all with her desire to press on. Thus, her nickname, “the comeback kid”.
She worked 27 years as a secretary for the State of Utah, in the day of typewriters. During her younger years in high school, she played softball and rode bicycles everywhere. Her first job was filing at the Brigham City Courthouse for .15 an hour.
Doris had a gracious servant’s heart; she gave of herself and her time. She volunteered for 30+ years at the McKay Dee Hospital, gardened, harvested, and canned fruits and vegetables only to share them with family, friends and neighbors. She is known far and wide for puzzling. She has more puzzles in her basement and spare rooms than any department store around. One would have to walk around the stacks of puzzles. She loved sharing her puzzles with anyone who loved the hobby.
She so enjoyed crocheting and made dozens and dozens of afghans and hats for young and old to wrap up in. Dressing up in costumes was another one of her favorite things to do. Any occasion to dress up in costume was a good one for her!
Her ability to enjoy and spend all her days at her home were because of the tremendous love, affection, and compassion she received from her family, caregivers; Pat, Mary and her friends. Never underestimate the power and encouragement of your visit to one in need. Your smiles, hugs, yummy meals and snacks was the fuel that spurred her forward. We heard about them all at the end of each day. You were and are such a blessing to her and her family. Her “Little Buddy” dog rarely left his duty by her side. Doris was blessed with the devotion of many who adored her.
Doris had a saying that she would sing quite often, it went like this: “Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad, if not I have failed indeed.”
The family would like to thank Myers Mortuary for their compassionate care and support during this time.
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