Doris Ellen Lofgren

Doris Lofgren of Rush City passed away at Pillars Hospice in Oakdale on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the age of 95.

Doris Ellen Daw was born August 13, 1922 to Charlie and Nora (Gehl) Daw. She was the second child and first girl to join that family. She was so close to her older brother, Harland, who would pass away from a burst appendix at the tender age of 16, which devastated Doris. Her two younger sisters, Joyce and Iris completed the family. Doris later named her first born son after her brother.

The family lived on the Daw farm about 5 miles southwest of Rush City and she attended McKay country school until they moved to town when she was in her teens to live with her mother’s father who was now alone. They lived in the home that is now called “Rush City Auto”, across from the mill. They did not live an affluent life, but made the best of what they had. Doris would take over a lot for her mother after her brother’s sudden death, and was an excellent cook and baker all her life. Doris graduated from Rush City High School in 1941.

In 1938, Doris met a man at the Rush City County Fair. He grew up not too far from her country home. His name was Carl Lofgren and, through thick and thin, they shared a very deep love. Mom was beautiful but rather shy and Carl was handsome and determined to have her for his wife. They shared 65 years of marriage before Carl preceded her in death on March 9, 2007.

Doris stayed on the family farm with her beloved dog Lady that she and Carl had treasured together. For over 6 years she was able to keep up everything, including the grass mowing and continued to rent out the land. She drove to Rush City to the Community Center for lunch and to enjoy others. Her Lord and Savior were always first in her heart and then her family. She faithfully attended First Lutheran Church of Harris, was a member of The Rush City Women’s Club for several years and always cherished her growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sending cards on their special occasions. Every single one just loved Gramma.

Then one day her doctor advised her to give up her car. It was a sad day for Doris, but she handled it in true Doris style. She made a decision she would go to live at the “Meadow’s on Fairview” in Wyoming, and absolutely loved her little apartment and thoroughly enjoyed 4 years and 4 months of togetherness with good people her own age. She loved having her hair done, Bingo, Rootbeer, and most of all putting together puzzles. Some she did twice but would date them to remember when she did them! There were a half a dozen new and lovely puzzles under her tree this Christmas that she will not have the pleasure to complete. Speaking of Christmas-she and dad started a tradition of a Christmas Eve lutefisk dinner about 1948. Only a blizzard could postpone that occasion. At one time there were about 50 family members there with 13 children under school age! Santa himself came every year! Mom helped Santa make Santa bags and other surprises came in that back door! When Doris had to leave the farm, she was more than thrilled when her grandson Lonnie Pillar and wife Tabitha, asked to purchase the home (built in 1912 by Carl’s parents) and remodel it and carry on those wonderful traditions-except the lutefisk! Santa still comes in that back door and Doris was so pleased to be sitting on his lap this year and watching the tradition continue. She was thrilled at the thought of them living and loving the homestead and the farm continuing to be a Century Farm, an award she was honored with a few years ago. She and Carl had worked so many years side by side and raised their children there. It was both of their wishes that the farm stay in the family.

Doris is survived by her children Harland (Sharron) Lofgren of Centuria, Wisconsin, Ardyce “Ardy” (LeRoy) Pillar of Hugo, Janet “Jan” (Myron) Twingstrom of Rush City and Marilyn “Manny” (Ivan) Bullert of Red Wing. Her precious grandchildren also survive her namely Loren Lofgren of Milltown, Wisconsin, Ronnie (Jeri Sanderson) Lofgren of Blaine, Michael (Elaine) Lofgren of Costa Mesa, California, Daniel (Kris) Pillar of Hazen, North Dakota, Cheryl (Mark) McDonald of Hugo, and Lonnie (Tabitha) Pillar of Rush City on the home place. Also surviving are Mylo (Patty) Twingstrom of Isanti, Monty (Naomi) Twingstrom of Princeton, Brandon Bullert of Oceanside, California and Becky (Brandon) Anderson of Clearwater. Also included are many great-grandchildren and now great-great-grandchildren are joining the family.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents; husband Carl; brother Harland; sisters Joyce (Arvid) Lofgren and Iris Farnell; sister-in-law Marion (Dr. Chauncey) Kelsey and Audrey Lofgren; brother-in-law Robert (Inez) Lofgren; as well as other relatives and friends.

We are assured that our mother is with the Lord and with those who have gone before her trusting in the Lord. She did talk with us girls in her last days of reuniting with Carl and her siblings and her face lit up with a smile as she pictured it. May she rest in peace. We all believe she is the role model of a peaceful and Godly lady. We wait for our day to see her again.

Reverend Caroline Harthun-Wooldridge will officiate funeral services for Doris; 11 AM; Friday (1/26/18) at First Lutheran Church of Harris. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned for Thursday (1/25/18) from 4-8 PM at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City and also one hour prior to the service at the church. The interment will take place in the Oak Grove Cemetery of Harris.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the:
Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel.
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com