Denise Doyle

Denise Lynn (Krause) Doyle, 70, died April 14, 2023, at her home in Charlevoix, Mich., after fighting ovarian cancer for over two years.

Denise was born May 10, 1952--on her mother’s birthday--as the third daughter of Jeanne V. (Schultz) Krause and Robert C. Krause in Muskegon, Mich. She graduated from St. Joseph Elementary School in 1966, and then Catholic Central High School in 1970.

Throughout her life, she lived at various times in New York, Florida, Kansas and finally back to Michigan. As a high schooler, she worked in her dad’s bakery, Rice Bake Shop; and as an adult, always seemed to gravitate to food-and-beverage/hospitality jobs, where she managed to end up being in charge.

Denise was known for her ever-ready smile and laughter, and for her positive, take-charge attitude. It’s fitting that her favorite flower was the sunflower. She also loved animals, especially dogs and rabbits, and riding through the countryside with her husband, Cliff, exploring new places, watching for wildlife or farm animals and then sharing the pictures with her family. The time of the spring lambs was her favorite. Feeding and watching the birds in her own yard was another favorite pastime.

If Denise had a hobby, it had to be all things involving cooking. She like finding new recipes, but also making up her own, and “kitchen gadgets,” like the instant-pot and air fryer, were always an intriguing challenge to her.  One of her specialties was the barbecued wings she fixed to accompany every Chief’s game she and Cliff watched. They were both ardent fans.

Denise and Cliff enjoyed traveling, and for many years “home” was a motor home. Eventually, they exchanged their nomadic life for a permanent home.

Denise and Cliff moved to Michigan in 2019 to make their home with Denise’s sister Kay Krause, but it wasn’t long after that that the cancer was diagnosed. Denise met the resulting challenges with strong faith and good humor, as she did all of her life.

Denise was preceded in death by her parents; and a nephew, Ian Isley. She is survived by her husband, Cliff Doyle; her children Kristin (Gary) Siegel, Parrish, Fla., Jessica (Chris) Horn, Atlanta, Ga. and Michael (Heidi) Doyle, Dayton, Ohio; her two sisters, Monica (George) Sawyn, Sturgeon Bay, Wis., and Kay Krause, Charlevoix, Mich.; a niece and nephew, Maria Isley, Duluth, Minn. and Justin Isley, Denver, Colo.; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at noon on Wednesday, May 10, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Charlevoix, Mich., with a private burial in St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Best Friends Animal Society, https://www.bestfriends.org.

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com