Doris Lavonne (Toft) NUEHRING

TOFT, NUEHRING, ULSTAD, DEROSA, JOHNDROW, RICH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

September 25, 1923 ----- October 9, 2007

Doris L. Nuehring, 84, died October 9, 2007 at the Belmond Health Care Center following a lengthy battle with cancer, her son Neil and brother Clifford at her side. Services were held October 13 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Rev. Lowell H. Halvorson officiating. Burial was in Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme.

Doris Lavonne, the daughter of Thomas Elliott and Ora Blanch (Ulstad) Toft, was born Sept. 25, 1923 on her parents' farm in rural Belmond. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf and attended Rural District #9 School.

Doris married Lyle Andrew Nuehring on August 14, 1946 in Algona. Doris and Lyle lived in Garner for a time. In 1949 they moved to Klemme where they raised their six children. Lyle was employed for many years with Hale-Phipps Motors while Doris handled the full-time responsibilities of providing a loving home for their children. Lyle died September 25, 1967.

Doris continued to live in Klemme where she could be found caring for her flowers and plants, walking around town on errands, being a good neighbor, or enjoying the company of her cats. She was an active member of the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ.

In 1986 Doris moved to the Belmond Community Apartments. In 2006 she moved to Kentucky Ridge Assisted Living, and later to the Good Shepherd Health Care Center, both in Mason City.

Doris enjoyed anything that meant spending time with her family. She traveled to visit her family in Connecticut, California and Alabama, as well Cape Cod, Massachusetts, New York City, and Montreal. Doris enjoyed the Iowa State Fair and the Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa. She also looked forward to shorter journeys to area towns to participate in friendly, but competitive, games of bingo. Many of her gatherings with family and friends would include conversations around a jigsaw puzzle over a cup of Norwegian coffee -- fitting for a lady who proudly wore the badge of her 100 percent Norwegian heritage. Doris cherished the many friendships she had made with her neighbors. She loved to experience the holidays and change of seasons, a joy that could be seen in her decorations and wardrobe which included decorated socks. Doris was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, and she even went to a post-season bowl game in San Diego.

Doris was a longtime member of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary and St. Olaf Ladies Aid.

Her family will cherish the many wonderful gifts she shared with them: her courage, non-judgmental attitude, witty personality, and mischievous smile. They will remember Doris' strength and perseverance as she valiantly faced the many challenges of cancer over the years -- an amazing lady who proudly called herself "Tough Tom" as she made it through another round in her fight.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister Betty; and brothers Thomas Jr., Donald and Robert. Survivors include her children Arland Nuehring of Irvine, CA, Cynthia (Peter) DeRosa of Rocky Hill, CT, Leland of Auburn, AL, Neil of Iowa City, Dwight of Tucson, AZ, and Cheryl of Kensington, CT; grandchildren Marc DeRosa of Sunnyvale, CA and Lisa DeRosa (partner Disiree Johndrow) of East Hartford, CT; brothers Roger (Kay) Toft of Surprise, AZ, Clifford Toft of Belmond, Jerry (Delores) Toft of Urbandale and Ev (Judy) Toft of West Des Moines; and sisters-in-law Mary Toft (wife of the late Thomas, Jr.) of Woodland, CA and Marlys Toft Rich (wife of the late Donald Toft) of Johnston.