Willadsen, Doris (1928-2015)

WILLADSEN, KEPLER, BOCKEN, LALISAN

Posted By: Colleen J Ossman (email)
Date: 3/2/2015 at 15:34:02

Des Moines Register

Doris Willadsen

Urbandale

Doris was born on October 2, 1928 in Webster City, Iowa and passed away peacefully from natural causes on February 18, 2015. Ironically, that is the same date her youngest son, Chris D. Willadsen, died in 2008. She was the thirteenth and last child of Oscar and Bessie Kepler. Only her brother, Robert C. Kepler (12th) of Webster City, now survives.

A good student, Doris attended Webster City High School where she was very active in the school's drama department. She played numerous roles in the department's annual productions before graduating in 1946.

A year later, Doris met a handsome young veteran at a dance in nearby Fort Dodge. After a whirlwind courtship she married William (Bill) Willadsen of Pomery on September 5, 1947 in Humboldt, Iowa. From a union of over 67 years three sons were born.

Doris spent the next few years handling the household chores and attempting to corral three active boys in Storm Lake, Iowa where Bill was employed as a lineman with Bell Telephone. In 1956, after training and Bill's promotion to the company's engineering department in Des Moines, they moved to a house in West Des Moines where they resided until moving to assisted living at Bickford of Urbandale.

Once her children were old enough, she began work as a salesperson for Younkers at Merle Hay Mall for a number of years. After graduating from Des Moines Area Community College in 1971, she took a job as a secretary with the West Des Moines School District. Doris worked at Stillwell Jr. High and then Indian Hills Jr. High until her retirement. It was a job she thoroughly enjoyed.

In retirement, Doris enjoyed a multitude of interests such as gardening, genealogy, garage sales, arts and crafts to name a few. Her last days were ones of contentment and thankfulness for the life she led and the people she loved and who loved her.

Doris is survived by her husband, Bill of Bickford of Urbandale; sons, Rick A. Willadsen (Kathie) of Earlham and Dennis L. Willadsen (Ellen) of Ames; granddaughters, Amy Bocken (Greg) of Fort Dodge and Lisa Lalisan (Joe) of Merced, California; grandsons, David Willadsen of Davenport and Daniel Willadsen of Ames; five great grandchildren and many extended family members.

Her family would like to thank the staff of Bickford of Urbandale and Unitypoint Hospice for their professionalism and loving care of Doris over the last few years of her life.

The family will gather with relatives and friends on Tuesday, March 3rd from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. with a service at 11:00 a.m. at The Ramada Tropics Resort, 5000 Merle Hay Rd in Urbandale. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association