Doris Josephine Graham 1919-2006

PAINTIN, BOWMAN, GRAHAM

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 3/10/2006 at 15:47:06

Doris Josephine Graham, 86, formerly of 508 2nd Avenue in Coralville, died Thursday, March 9, 2006 at the Solon Care Center.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. at Lensing’s Oak Hill in Coralville with Reverend Paul Akin officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Coralville.
Visitation will be held Sunday, March 12 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Lensing’s Oak Hill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Doris was born April 12, 1919 in Tiffin, Iowa the daughter of Frank and Kate (Paintin) Bowman. She had four siblings, Donald, Ada (Langenberg), Dean John (Jack). She attended school in Tiffin and graduated Tiffin High School. She worked for many years at various cafes and night spots in the Iowa City area. She met and married Leonard Graham in 1947. Doris had one son, Quentin Sweeney, from a previous marriage and she and Leonard had three children, Sherry, Gary and Tom. They lived all their married life in Coralville. Leonard passed away in 1972. Doris worked for Sears, first in downtown Iowa City and then in Sycamore Mall. She worked there for 28 years before retiring in 1981.

Doris loved to bowl and bowled in many leagues through the years. She helped organize the first bantam league in Coralville and helped coach the kids. She was inducted into the Iowa City Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame.

Doris spent many hours helping the Brownies and Girl Scouts when her daughter was little. In later years, she spent most of her free time at the Coralville American Legion volunteering in any way she could. She always made sure the Legion was decorated for every football game and holiday. She decorated the back room for weddings and dances. Everyone enjoyed her creative ideas.

Doris met Kenny Thomas in the 1970’s and they became close companions. They traveled all over the country and had a great time together! She learned to golf and enjoyed playing in league. Kenny and Doris always went to the Hawkeye football games. They even went to Hawaii to cheer them on! Kenny became a “surrogate” grandfather to her grandchildren. They all loved him!

Doris loved to crochet and was always making warm afghans or scarves for her friends and family. She also spent considerable time making a “big ten” quilt for her two grandsons. She loved to dance and also played piano by “ear.” P.S. She also enjoyed an occasional “cold one.”

Doris is survived by children Quentin (Sandy) Sweeney of Coralville, Sherry (Bill) Frantz of Iowa City, Gary (Rose) Graham of Solon, and Tom Graham of Coralville; her long-time companion Kenny Thomas of Columbus Junction; her grandchildren Stacie (David) Gisielson, Darcie (Brian) Ahrens, Eric (Lynn) Frantz, Amy (Jean Claude Tschilumba) Frantz, Philip Graham, Erin Graham; and great-grandchildren Quentin, Aiden, Kaden, Keeyon, Conner, Peyton, Christian and Olivia.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leonard, three brothers (Donald, Dean and Jack), her sister Ada Langenberg and one sister at birth.

On-line condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com