Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 24. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Mountain View Funeral Home, 7900 East Main St. in Mesa.
Stella was born in Kingswood, England on November 4, 1928 to Abraham and Rosina Grivell. She grew up living through World War II and met and married an American GI named Kenneth Timm in 1945. In 1947, she and her 8 month old daughter, Jane, came to America by ship and traveled by train to Springfield, MN to live with her husband. She had three other children with Kenneth; Lonna, Del and Helen.
In 1967, she married John Dohrer and moved to Arizona. They lived in Tucson, Phoenix and Mesa and made good friends everywhere they lived. Stella worked as a cashier at several car dealerships over the years and her special talent was customer service because she cared for the people she worked with and served. She once told a customer “It’s nice to be important but it is important to be nice”. She and John finally moved to Sarkis for their retirement years. During her years there she made many close friends and loved to help others until she grew older and it was her time to be helped by her dear friends.
Stella enjoyed reading, knitting and playing Phase 10. She was a member of the Daughters of the British Empire and enjoyed their monthly meetings. She also attended Love of Christ church every Sunday and made many friends there. It was her wish that all of her friends meet one another. Stella’s true gift was her love and compassion for other people.
She is survived by her daughter, Jane Tews of Mesa, AZ, Lonna Koktavy of Farmington, MN, Helen Gresch of Green Bay, WI, son, Del and wife Patty of Phoenix, AZ and step daughter Wanda Lind (Jim) of Moose Lake, MN, 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Stella will be greatly missed by her family, her Sarkis family and all those who knew her.
Stella will be greatly missed at Naomi Circle at Love of Christ Lutheran Church. She was always gracious and warm to every member. I loved her dignity and grace. She had interesting experiences to share with those of us who asked her to tell us about her life and interests.
what a beautiful life. I am so sorry for your loss. Praying that you share many memories in the days that follow that fill you up until you meet again. Hugs to all.
My sympathy Jane on the loss of your mom. So glad you lived close enough to have had time together. Hugs and blessings
Stella was not only a warm, genuine, kind, and really fun person, but a good friend – especially to the Grimm Family. We will forever cherish the wonderful times that we spent together over the years. She will be missed.