Doris Carter Denzel

Doris Carter Denzel, 89, died peacefully on Sunday, February 3, 2013, at The Bluffs nursing home in Columbia, Missouri. Born March 19, 1923, in Danville, Kentucky, she was the oldest of seven children of the late Loren and Thelma Carter. Doris married Harry Denzel in New York City in 1943. He preceded her in death in 1989, having retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel and later becoming a professor at Southern Illinois University. Doris is survived by sons Scott Denzel, of St. Charles, Missouri, and Kent Denzel, of Columbia, Missouri, by daughter-in-law Brenda Raines-Denzel of Columbia, two grandsons, Michael (Laura) and Matthew Denzel, both of Columbia. She was preceded in death by brothers James and William Carter, and a sister, Justyne Lieber. She is survived by sisters Peggy Atkins, of Centerville Ohio, Betty Fields, of La Plata, Maryland, and Mary Lee Jones, of Lexington, Kentucky. Harry and Doris traveled the world during his service in the Air Force. They lived in England, Germany, and Japan; she was the first female American civilian to enter Germany after World War II. Harry and Doris also took a round-the world research sabbatical while he was a professor, visiting New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, India, Iran, Turkey, Italy, Denmark, and Norway. Doris owned the Nearly New Shop in Carbondale for 20 years, and achieved the level of Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. Doris and Harry began and operated a duplicate bridge club in Carbondale (now named after her), which Doris ran until she moved to Columbia in 2008. A graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 8, 2013 at Oakland Cemetery. Reverend Paul Hicks will be officiating the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard St. Alexandria, VA 22311 and will be accepted by Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale.