THORSON, Doris Irene (Goeken) 1934-2020

THORSON, GOEKEN, KOST

Posted By: Volunteer73
Date: 2/18/2020 at 11:13:54

Obituary

Doris Irene Thorson of Charles City, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at the age of 85.

A funeral for Doris Thorson will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020 at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Russ Leeper officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Canton, South Dakota on Saturday, February 8, 2020.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.

Doris Irene Goeken was born on September 27, 1934, to Hiram and Clara (Kost) Goeken at home in Scotland, South Dakota. Doris was a triplet. The triplets, Donald, Dorothy and Doris, joined three other siblings, Delores, Floyd and Ruth. Doris attended school in Scotland, South Dakota, graduating from Scotland High School, with the class of 1953.

Doris attended college at Southern State Teacher’s College in Springfield, South Dakota. She then began teaching at Sharon Country School #10, just outside her hometown of Scotland, South Dakota. She taught there for three years. During the summer of 1956, Doris had a summer job working at Mt. Rushmore. One of the highlights was climbing to the top of the monument.

Doris then moved to Canton, South Dakota to continue her teaching career. While in Canton, Doris met her future husband, Blaine Thorson. Doris and Blaine were married at the Canton Lutheran Church on July 10, 1960. Doris and Blaine’s marriage was blessed with one daughter, Michele.

Doris and Blaine moved to Charles City, Iowa in August of 1963. Doris was a substitute teacher in the Charles City Community School System for nearly 45 years. She truly loved being a substitute and enjoyed being around all of the teachers and students. She always commented on how nice everyone was and how she never wanted to give up substitute teaching.

Doris loved to collect Red Wing Stoneware. She was also an avid volunteer, serving on the library board, selling tickets and working in the concession stand at the Charles Theater, being a docent at the Carrie Lane Chapman Catt House, serving on the Parish Life board at St. John’s Lutheran Church, as well as the Church Council. Doris loved to be involved and give back to her community. She truly loved Charles City and the people who live there.

Although Doris had a variety of interests, what she loved the most, was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, Nicole and Connor. She was very proud of them and loved them dearly.

Doris is survived by her daughter, Michele Raatz and husband Russ of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister, Dorothy Lang and husband LeRoy of Rapid City, South Dakota; grandchildren: Nicole Lickei and husband Matt of Olathe, Kansas and Connor Raatz of Lincoln, Nebraska.

She was preceded in death by her husband Blaine; parents Hiram and Clara; sisters: Delores and Ruth; and brothers: Floyd and Donald
Memorials may be left in care of the family.

SOURCE: Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home