Doris Aimee Kosley

Doris and her twin sister, Dortha Amelia, came into this world on August 5, 1922. They were two of eleven children born to Milo and Minnie Hazel Zeck of Conde, South Dakota. Doris and Dortha (Dode and Dot) had two older sisters and four older brothers. Three younger brothers followed. The Zecks were a poor farming family and every pair of hands were needed to make ends meet.

Doris graduated from Conde High School, Class of 1941. Shortly afterward, she and her twin sister moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan where they lived with their oldest sister, Reatha. Doris was employed at the Wolverine Café where she met Milton Kosley, who was working his way through pre-med at Eastern Michigan University as a busboy. Doris and Milton were married on July 11, 1942.

Doris worked at the Ford Motor Plant in Ypsilanti while Milton studied medicine at the University of Michigan. Their first child, Douglas Morris, was born on March 7, 1943. Milton’s studies were interrupted by a two-year stint in the Medical Corp of the US Army (1944-1946). During those years Doris and Douglas spent some time in Denver, Colorado while Milton was in boot camp.

After the war, the family lived in Chicago as Milton finished his studies at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He received his doctorate in December 1949, after which the family settled in Highland Park, Michigan. Milton took a residency at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital and eventually went into private medical practice as a General Surgeon. Doris worked as a Telephone Operator at Michigan Bell Telephone Company. Their second child, Kathryn Ann, was born on June 5, 1953.

Doris was actively involved in her children’s education. She was a member of the Ferris Parent Teachers Association for over eight years where she eventually served as President (1959-1960) and Treasurer of the organization.

The Kosleys moved to Farmington Hills, Michigan in 1964 where Doris enjoyed various craft projects and gardening. She was active in the Wayne County Osteopathic Auxiliary, Detroit Osteopathic Hospital Guild and was Supervisory Chairperson of the Osteopathic Federal Credit Union. She was an avid fan of the Detroit Red Wings, often joining her husband for games while he served as the Red Wings’ Physician for 27 years.

Doris and Milton divided their time between their home in Farmington Hills and their condominium at the Admiralty House in Marco Island, Florida, which they purchased in 1979. After Milton’s death in September 1981, Doris moved permanently to their condo in Florida. She walked daily on the beach and gathered an impressive collection of seashells that she crafted into various items such as mirrors, picture frames and wreaths. With dear friends, she traveled to Europe, Russia and sailed on several cruises. She was devastated by the loss of her son Douglas to lung cancer in February of 2015.

Doris was a vibrant, active woman with a refreshing positive attitude and strong faith in God that never faltered. She lived life to the fullest and loved everyone she met. She will be missed by many.

She is survived by her daughter Kathryn Skrien and Daughter-In-Law Patricia Shinavier Kosley.