Delores Verna Jannsen Stapler

Dolores "Lorie" Verna Jannsen Stapler, aged 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. She was cherished by her children, family and friends. She was well known for her kind and loving nature. She made everyone she came in contact with feel special and important. Dolores was born on May 1, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois to Gertrude and Cecil Jannsen. She is predeceased by brother Robert C. Jannsen and sister Dawn C. Jannsen. She was the widow of Harry Stapler. 

Dolores is survived by her four children, Bruce (Julie) Donoho, Todd (Paula) Donoho, Lorie Lee (Jim) Andrews, and Carl Donoho. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and her brother David (Judy) Jannsen, and many loving nieces and nephews. 

Dolores lived a life of accomplishment and adventure. She grew up on a farm in Rolling Prairie, Indiana where she learned a valuable work ethic that would serve her throughout her life. She was the first member of her family to graduate from college. She graduated from Purdue University in 1951 with a degree in home economics. She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. Immediately after graduation, she married her first husband, Meredith Lee Donoho. They traveled together extensively, living in foreign venues such as Paris, Haiti, Puerto Rico and Liberia, as well as several locations within the United States. She was a teacher of home economics in the Hammond, Indiana public school system. She earned a Master's Degree from Michigan State University in 1978. She also worked in administration for the University of Florida and later for the public school system in Camarillo, California. 

Dolores was an avid runner for much of her adult life. She ran the Detroit Marathon at the age of fifty. She loved to sing and was part of various musical groups when she was growing up and later she enjoyed being part of her church choirs. She was famous for being an outstanding cook and she loved to entertain in her home. She was a talented writer and she wrote a wonderful autobiography that her family treasures. 

A memorial service for Lorie will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church, 3444 US Highway 20, Rolling Prairie, IN 46271. Burial will immediately follow at Rolling Prairie Cemetery.

Our family wishes to thank the staff of Marquette Senior Living who cared for our Mother so lovingly. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.