Doris E. Smith 1948-2007

KEELEY, PASSET, WETZEL, SMITH, HARTLEY, KAUTEN, SCHMITT, BASTIEN

Posted By: N. Wagner (email)
Date: 12/28/2007 at 11:08:38

Doris Elizabeth Smith died Saturday morning, Dec. 22, 2007, at Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters in Oelwein, following a short illness.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein, with visitation from 9 a.m. to service time. Burial will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, rural Oelwein.

Doris was born April 7, 1948, the first child to the late Ed and Shirlie (Keeley) Passet, Oelwein. She grew up in Oelwein and graduated from Oelwein High School in 1966. On Sept. 15, 1966, she and Danny Smith were married and a son was born, Phillip Smith. They were later divorced.

Although Doris was dedicated to raising her son, her desire to help those in need of emergency medical attention prompted Doris to obtain her EMT license. She worked several years for the Oelwein Area Ambulance Service, giving everything she had of herself day and night to help ensure someone received medical care. Doris continued her education and obtained her paramedic license from Hawkeye Community College. On June 11, 1973, Doris was married to James Wetzel. To this union a daughter Jenny was born.

Some of her most rewarding moments were when she worked part-time in the Oelwein Community School District, primarily in the elementary schools as a nurse assistant. Her caring and nurturing ways were felt by many children as she would never let a tear go unwiped, making sure each child knew that she cared. A child’s smile was truly the key to Doris’ heart.

Doris is survived by a son, Phil (Tiffany) Smith of Clarence; a daughter, Jenny (Mike) Hartley of Fort Madison. She leaves to mourn her two brothers, Joe (Lisa) Passet of Boone and John of Oelwein; three sisters, Mary (Francis) Kauten of Fayette, Cindy (David) Schmitt of Oelwein, and Janet (Russ) Bastien of Cuba City, Wis.; and several nieces and nephews.

In death she has joined her parents and grandparents.

The family extends a sincere thank-you to Palmer Medical and the local Hospice employees.

Oelwein Daily Register, December 26, 2007