Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Doris S. Risler

Oct. 16, 1923 - May 25, 2007

 

South Bend Tribune 6/6/2007
SOUTH BEND - Doris S. Risler, 83, of Saint Paul's Retirement Community, died Friday evening, May 25, 2007, in her residence. Her son, Rex, and husband, Dr. Walt P. Risler, preceded her in death. Surviving are daughters, Amy (Mark) Alley of Warsaw and Noel Stewart of Worcester, MA; sons, Walt P. Risler Jr. and Matthew Risler, both of South Bend, and Daniel (Rose) Risler of Austin, TX; seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Private family services will be held. She was born in Metuchen, NJ. Doris received her bachelor's degree from Upsala College in New Jersey and, after moving to the South Bend area, received her master's degree in sociology from the University of Notre Dame.

 

Doris served her country in World War II in the Army. She was married to her college sweetheart, Walt, in the early 50s. While Walt was working on his doctorate from the University of Chicago they moved to South Bend and started their careers. Doris and Walt were the only husband and wife probation officers to run Parkview Detention Center for St. Joseph County in the early 60s. Doris also taught sociology at Notre Dame and volunteered her talents as a counselor for many years. Besides raising a family of six, Mom was an avid reader, needlepoint and knitting expert, nature lover, counselor, expert bridge player, a devoted and loving mother and grandmother, and a very close and dear friend to so many people. She was always there when you needed her most; she rocked us to sleep when we were babies, soothed our bumps and bruises, hauled us back and forth to after-school activities, let us borrow her car, did not hesitate to use the wooden spoon when we misbehaved, cheered us on when we graduated, and always had time to listen to our every-day problems and issues. Her love never wavered, was never conditional, and her exceptional love will never be replaced by anyone in our lifetimes.

 

We miss her dearly, and with her passing there is a piece of our hearts and souls that will never heal. Memorial contributions may be made to The Dr. Walt P. Risler Scholarship Fund, C/O IUSB, P.O. BOX 7111, 1700 MISHAWAKA AVE., SOUTH BEND, IN 46634.