Doris Zelmer

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Doris Adeline Zellmer, 84, passed away Jan. 26, 2011, at Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in Chinook, Mont., following complications of a stroke suffered on March 30, 2010.

Visitation will be at Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook on Monday, Jan. 31, from 4-5:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, at 1:30 p.m., in the Hogeland American Lutheran Church with burial to follow in Wing Cemetery.

Doris was born May 19, 1926 in Tomah, Wis., to Edwin Straight and Adeline (Fuhrman) Straight. She attended a rural country school near Tomah, Wis., completing eighth grade. Doris was the seventh child of nine children. Doris worked several jobs as a maid and waitress in Tomah. Doris was a natural-born musician playing numerous musical instruments. Through out her life she entertained at numerous parties and events with her musical talents. Music, her children and grandchildren were her passion.

Doris met her husband, Leonard, at a custard shop in Tomah, where she worked. Doris and Leonard were married Nov. 15, 1947, in Tomah and left for their farm home near Hogeland, Mont. They lived on the farm until November 1987, when they retired and moved to Havre, Mont. They enjoyed their retirement years with their new friends in the Blue Horizons and Good Sam Club.

Doris enjoyed her years on the farm, cooking, gardening and spending time with her children and grandchildren. For several years, she and Leonard were partners in Big Flat Meats. Doris was also a great caregiver to many and was always putting others first. Doris was an active member of the Hogeland American Legion Auxiliary Post 59, American Lutheran Church of Hogeland and Blue Horizon Good Sam Club. She enjoyed volunteering at the Senior Center in Havre.

Two daughters survive Doris, Loretta (Wally) Beck of Hogeland, and Laura (Dale) Sherwood; four sons, Ed (Kathy) of Hogeland, Darwin (Betty) of Harlem, Wynn (Shirley) of Kalispell and Erwin (Tawny) of Nashua; a brother, Leroy Straight of Westfield Wis., 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Doris is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; a granddaughter, Dawn Zellmer; sisters Gertrude, Hazel, Mabel and Mildred; and brothers, Raymond, Donald and Leonard. Memorials may be sent to the American Lutheran Church of Hogeland, tThe Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in Chinook or to the charity of one's choice.