Doris Helena Erikson Doler

Doris Helena Erikson Doler August 13, 1922 – March 22, 2018 Doris Helena Erikson Doler was born August 13th, 1922 in Springfield, Massachusetts and died March 22nd, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon. The only child of Swedish immigrants Karl and Helena Erikson, Doris grew up surrounded by friends and family members in a community associated with the Swedish Covenant Church. Although she lost her father in 1929, she remembered her childhood fondly. Her Maternal grandparents lived with her and her mother and were instrumental in her upbringing. Doris graduated from High School in 1939 and subsequently went to work for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. Although unable to afford college, Doris was always able to find good jobs wherever she lived. She was an accomplished pianist and played well both by ear and with music. During frequent “brown outs” during WW2, her congregation was able to keep singing with her playing by ear until the lights came back on. On June 14th, 1947, Doris married Thurston Doler in Springfield, they had met several years earlier when he was stationed at Westover Air Base. For their first date they met at a movie theater to see “A Song to Remember” which subsequently became a lifelong favorite for them. The young couple moved to Corvallis, Oregon in 1949 where Doris went to work for the fledgling CH2MHill company that eventually grew into a hugely successful international business. In subsequent years she was employed by Oregon State University from which she retired in 1985. Doris was also involved for decades at the First Baptist Church of Corvallis and served for many years as pianist. Doris’ family was at the very center of her life and she was an unshakeable source of love and stability for all of us. Despite her diminutive size her authority within the family was unquestioned. Her children were: Sandra born in 1951, Eric born in 1953 and Tamara born in 1957. Her children’s spouses are John (Sandra), Linda (Eric) and John (Tamara). David Samuel was married to Tami for 25 years and is the father of three of Doris’ grandchildren—who are Matthew, Paul, Joshua, Jessica, Lisa, Nicole and Caitlyn. Her three great-grandchildren are Henrietta, Rowan and Erikson. Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the First Baptist Church of Corvallis, Oregon. A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 5th at the McHenry Funeral Home, 206 NW 5th, Corvallis, Oregon 97330. All are welcome to attend.

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Doris Helena Erikson Doler

August 13, 1922 - March 22, 2018