Doris Ann Smith

Doris Ann (Duitsman) Smith, 75, passed away on August 30, 2022. She was born on August 5, 1947 to Elmer and Barbara (Stone) Duitsman. She attended grade and high school in Forreston, Illinois, graduating from Forreston High School in 1965. After high school she attended the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana where she studied piano under the son of Igor Stravinsky, graduating with a major in music and minors in mathematics and education. After graduation Doris performed on tour with the Regiment band as a vocalist and playing the keyboard and guitar. She also worked in Rockford, IL at Selectability, in Austin, TX at Victor, in Rockford, IL at Rockford Memorial Hospital, and in Tucson, AZ at the University of Arizona Medical Center and at Sonoma. Doris was a talented musician. During her school years she played several instruments in concert, marching, and jazz bands, sang in school and church choirs, and competed successfully in state music competitions. Family was important to Doris. After retiring she moved to West Palm Beach, FL to take care of her sister Judie whose health was declining. Judie's daughter Patty, in turn, took Doris under her wing as her health declined. She kept a watchful eye on her, took her to doctor appointments and grocery shopping, included her in family events, and served as her advocate when it was necessary for Doris to move into a nursing home. Doris is the great great granddaughter of James Bell Stone (m. Freelove Frisland Dugger), who was the first Baptist Missionary in Johnson County, Tennessee, traveling to remote Appalachian Mountain locations on horseback. She is also the great great granddaughter of Wolbrand Duitsman (m. Tjabbendliena Janssen), who served in the Civil War (Company C, 40th Illinois Infantry). Doris is survived by her sister Susan (Duitsman) Lorenz, as well as four nieces and nephews and their families: Patty (Gronewold) and James Rabideau and their children Caroline, Cathleen, and Katelynn Rabideau; Amie (Lorenz) Correa and her children Enrique and Lupe Correa; Cathy (Gronewold) Harris and her children Lily Harris, Anna Harris, Mackenzie Mansfield, and Emily Mansfield; Mathias and Paula (Wessel) Lorenz and their children Wyatt Lorenz, Justin Wessel, Jessica Wessel, and Lauren (Wessel) and Tyler Tucker; and Jessica (Lorenz) Walker and her son Jakob Walker. Doris was preceded in death by her sister Judith (Duitsman) Lamia, her sister Betty (Duitsman) Reemtsma, and her parents Elmer and Barbara (Stone) Duitsman. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on September 24 at the Forreston Grove Church. Cemetery Details Forreston Grove Cemetery Forreston , IL 61030 Previous Events Graveside services SEP 24. 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM (CT) Forreston Grove Cemetery Forreston , IL 61030