1923
Doris
2013
Doris Hotchkiss
March 5, 1923 — October 28, 2013
Doris Welle Hotchkiss died Monday, October 28, 2013 at the Masonic Home in Bloomington. She had lived in the Twin Cities for the past 6 years, near her children.
Doris was born in Eustis, Nebraska, on March 5, 1923 to Otto and Sophia Bartruff. She was one of eight children growing up on the family farm. She graduated from Eustis High School and planned to attend nurses training, but due to her mother's death she stayed home to take care of her younger sisters.
During World War II, Doris moved to Minneapolis where she met her husband Gilbert Welle who was in the Navy. They were married in 1945. In 1952 they moved to Fergus Falls when Gib and his brother Ralph bought the Fergus Falls Monument Company. They raised 3 children. In l961 Gib died suddenly of a heart attack. Following Gib's death she worked in Dr. Gervais' dental office and the Middle School in the Fergus Falls School District for many years.
In l970 Doris married Bob Hotchkiss. They had many fun times and enjoyed retirement. He was extremely loyal and helped Doris through some difficult years with Alzheimer's. He died in 2008.
Doris was a very caring and amazingly resilient person. She was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and enjoyed the women's circle and distributing communion for nursing home residents. She also helped with Meals on Wheels. A favorite pastime was her bridge groups and playing duplicate. In summers she liked to golf. She loved spending time with her family and will be missed by us all.
Survivors include her children, Susan (Dennis) Felix of Eden Prairie, Julie (Bill) Miller of Monticello, Chuck (Julie) Welle of Deephaven; 6 Grandchildren, Dominic (Terri) Miller, Monica (Kris) Schwickerath, Austin Felix, Caitlyn (Philip) Pulitzer, Sarah (Jesse) Nelson, and Evan Welle; 6 Great Grandchildren, Ty, Luke, Cole and Kade Schwickerath, Hayden and Hunter Miller; Siblings, Betty Rieker, Robert (Evelyn) Bartruff, Marjorie (Kenneth) Kugler, Diane (Danny) Easterday all of the Eustis, Nebraska area. She was preceded in death by her husbands Gib and Bob; sister Lucile Anderson; and brothers Vern Bartruff, Otto Bartruff Jr. and Lloyd Bartruff.
We deeply appreciate the wonderful care she has received at the Masonic Home and from Methodist Hospice. Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer's Association.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls
Celebrants: Father Alan Wielinski and Deacon Chuck Kampa
Burial: St. Otto's Catholic Cemetery in Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
Doris was born in Eustis, Nebraska, on March 5, 1923 to Otto and Sophia Bartruff. She was one of eight children growing up on the family farm. She graduated from Eustis High School and planned to attend nurses training, but due to her mother's death she stayed home to take care of her younger sisters.
During World War II, Doris moved to Minneapolis where she met her husband Gilbert Welle who was in the Navy. They were married in 1945. In 1952 they moved to Fergus Falls when Gib and his brother Ralph bought the Fergus Falls Monument Company. They raised 3 children. In l961 Gib died suddenly of a heart attack. Following Gib's death she worked in Dr. Gervais' dental office and the Middle School in the Fergus Falls School District for many years.
In l970 Doris married Bob Hotchkiss. They had many fun times and enjoyed retirement. He was extremely loyal and helped Doris through some difficult years with Alzheimer's. He died in 2008.
Doris was a very caring and amazingly resilient person. She was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and enjoyed the women's circle and distributing communion for nursing home residents. She also helped with Meals on Wheels. A favorite pastime was her bridge groups and playing duplicate. In summers she liked to golf. She loved spending time with her family and will be missed by us all.
Survivors include her children, Susan (Dennis) Felix of Eden Prairie, Julie (Bill) Miller of Monticello, Chuck (Julie) Welle of Deephaven; 6 Grandchildren, Dominic (Terri) Miller, Monica (Kris) Schwickerath, Austin Felix, Caitlyn (Philip) Pulitzer, Sarah (Jesse) Nelson, and Evan Welle; 6 Great Grandchildren, Ty, Luke, Cole and Kade Schwickerath, Hayden and Hunter Miller; Siblings, Betty Rieker, Robert (Evelyn) Bartruff, Marjorie (Kenneth) Kugler, Diane (Danny) Easterday all of the Eustis, Nebraska area. She was preceded in death by her husbands Gib and Bob; sister Lucile Anderson; and brothers Vern Bartruff, Otto Bartruff Jr. and Lloyd Bartruff.
We deeply appreciate the wonderful care she has received at the Masonic Home and from Methodist Hospice. Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer's Association.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls
Celebrants: Father Alan Wielinski and Deacon Chuck Kampa
Burial: St. Otto's Catholic Cemetery in Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
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