Octogenarian calls East Dundee her 'beloved hometown'
She calls East Dundee her “beloved hometown.”
As 81-year-old DeLoris Doederlein walks the streets of the Fox River town, she always has a hug, a wave or at least a smile for seemingly everyone she greets.
“If you are not my friend now you soon will be,” she says.
Often starting her day off at Piece-A-Cake Bakery on North River Street, Doederlein satisfies her sweet tooth and gets the scoop on happenings around town.
“I don't want to miss anything,” Doederlein says as she makes her way down the street.
“DeLoris is our matriarch in East Dundee,” said Jeff Turner, owner of In the Neighborhood Meat Market. “She is the first person we met when we opened the deli in September of 2013, and she has supported our every move.”
Doederlein's life has been one of service to others, including working as a teacher in Community Unit District 300 and at Immanuel Lutheran School. She taught preschool, second grade, third grade, a multi-age class and remedial reading.
In 1986, Doederlein was encouraged by friends to run for state representative. She said entering the political realm was the last thing on her mind. Nevertheless, she was elected and held office until 1992.
“It was a learning situation for me,” Doederlein said. “It took me a little bit longer to learn how things worked, but I knew right and wrong, and I always tried to do the right thing.”
These days, Doederlein serves her community by volunteering with myriad organizations in the area. Doederlein says volunteering gives her a sense of belonging and she enjoys the camaraderie.
She passes time helping the VFW auxiliary and sewing quilts at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in West Dundee, where she was married many years ago to her late husband, Fred.
She tries to downplay her contributions. “I don't really volunteer that much anymore,” she says as she heads out to her next location to lend a helping hand.
Doederlein says she loves East Dundee because of the people.
“People do care, you just have to get to know them.”
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