header 1
header 2
header 3

IN MEMORY

Douglas Tuttle - Class Of 1941

Douglas Bonell Tuttle, age 96, of Overland Park, KS passed away February 13, 2020 surrounded by loving family. Doug was born April 19, 1923 in Livingston, WI to Clayton Tuttle and Edna (Bonell) Tuttle.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Lenore; his first wife, Marybelle; and his granddaughter, Kimberly Payne.

Doug graduated high school in 1941 in Kenosha, WI. Prior to his graduation from the Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY) in 1945, Doug attended the Chicago Technical College and was chief tool designer at the Frost Company.

Doug married his sweetheart, Marybelle Richards in Kenosha, WI in 1945. They had three children to whom he was a loving father. Doug encouraged excellence in every endeavor and taught his family the value of a job well done.

Doug had high expectations of himself, as well.  In 1952, he joined Webster Electric and was promoted through various roles to the role of Plant Manager at State-rite Industries in Frankfort, KY where he remained until his retirement at the age of 55 years.  Doug was active in many organizations including Boy Scouts, Girl Scout Camp Judy Layne and the First Baptist Church Youth Fellowship.  He was a board member of the Public Safety Commission (KY), the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.  He was an active Rotarian and a Brother of the Masonic Fraternity for 59 years.  Doug was a founding member of the Lafayette Club (#38) in Lexington, KY and the Grand Marais, MN Sailing Yacht Club.

Doug loved traveling with Marybelle, sailing, woodworking, stained glass art, playing the organ and exploring family genealogy.  He particularly enjoyed time spent with family.  Following his retirement, Doug and Marybelle thrived in the North Woods of Minnesota near their son David’s family and helping to reestablish the Bearskin Lodge as a premier destination.  They soon became snowbirds, wintering in AZ until Marybelle’s passing in 2000.

A heartbroken widower after 55 years of marriage, Doug was introduced to a kind and sunny woman, Ginny (Virginia) Dean.  They were married in Ames, IA in December 2002.  Ginny and Doug remained very active until his recent health made travel prohibitive, much to Doug’s chagrin.

He is survived by his wife, Ginny Tuttle of Overland Park, KS; daughter, Patricia J. Worsfold (Ron) of Grimes, IA; sons, Dr. Douglas R. Tuttle (Laura) of Anacortes, WA and David T. Tuttle (Barbara) of Grand Marais, MN; stepdaughters, Carol Wagner (Terry) and Dianne Jenkins (Jim) of Missouri; 6 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 3 nephews and their families.

Doug was a uniquely talented, witty, and loved man with an unmatched thirst for living life well.  Louisa May Alcott’s words aptly describe Doug’s passing:  “He was no longer afraid of the storm, for he learned to sail his ship.”  The Celebration of Doug’s Life will take place this summer in Grand Marais, MN.

The Tuttle family wishes to thank the Good Shepherd Hospice of Lenexa, KS and in particular, Jessica, RN, Janet, SW and Christina, Tech whose loving, supportive care were very much appreciated.

Contributions may be made to the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department, ATTN: Barb Tuttle, 7401 Gunflint Trail, Grand Marais, MN 55604.