Doris Vos

of White River, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, May 4, 2021
at her home in White River at the age of 97

Doris Eloise Brooking was born June 16, 1923, to Herbert and Isadore (Hayes) Brooking. She passed away May 4, 2021, age 97, at her home in White River. Doris grew up on the family farm nine miles northwest of Onida in Sully County, South Dakota. Her first three years of school were in Onida before she enrolled in the rural Hartford school district. She later attended and graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1941.

Speaking contests, Young Citizens League, and 4-H were activities that Doris enjoyed while growing up and she spent much time taking an active role in these. Following graduation, Doris went to school at South Dakota State College in Brookings, majoring in Home Economics.

During those college years, World War II was being fought and military troops were based on the SDSC campus. It was there she met James Vos of Oskaloosa, Iowa. On June 23, 1947, she married her “Army guy”. Their first home was in Ames, Iowa, where Jim attended school. Doris worked part of that time as Home Demonstration Agent in Boone County, west of Ames. On June 20, 1948, their daughter Rebecca was born and in July they returned to South Dakota where they farmed with Doris’s brother on the farm where she grew up in Onida. While there, Andrew was born August 10, 1950, and Phil followed on February 12, 1953.

In September 1956, Jim began his ministry in the Methodist Church. The Vos’s first appointment was in Hayes. Two daughters were born at this time. Martha joined the family October 16, 1957 and Phoebe was born February 11, 1960. In March 1961, they moved to Philip where Doris did some substitute teaching and worked for a year as a music teacher. In 1966, they moved to Conde. Doris taught Home Making classes in the high school for the five years they were there. In 1971, they transferred to Clear Lake, where Doris continued teaching in Gary.

White River became home in 1974. Again, Doris did substitute teaching and taught Home Making for two years. In 1979 Jim’s ministry took them to Selby. They lived there until 1985 when Jim retired from full-time service. While in Selby, Doris worked at the Good Samaritan Health Care Center.

Jim and Doris always enjoyed west-river country and chose to return to White River for their retirement. Doris said many times that she wanted to be within shouting distance of one kid, and Phoebe lived in White River. During these years, Doris was always involved in the community, as she had been wherever she lived. Organizations included the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, Order of the Eastern Star (79-year member), American Legion Auxiliary, Home Demonstration Clubs, Federated Women’s Club, Senior Citizens, and church choirs. For more than twenty years she joined residents at the White River Care Center for a weekly sing-a-long. Doris loved music and especially enjoyed playing the piano. She was the church pianist for many years and even played at church on her 95th birthday. Family was important to Doris and there was nothing she would not do for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Doris and Jim traveled many miles in support of family activities. Community involvement was also a high priority and they rarely missed local school activities, community events, or anything else that was happening in the neighborhood.

After a fall in 2013, Doris became a resident of assisted living in Pierre and Winner. In 2017 she returned to her home in White River where she was cared for by her children, primarily Martha. She remained in her home until her death. G’ma-Mom was polite, rarely complained, and was strong until the end.

Survivors include children Becky (Joe) Dougherty of Cheyenne, Andy (Jodi Hanson) Vos of Sioux Falls, Phil (Joyce) Vos of Sioux Falls, Martha (Byron) Janke of Sturgis, and Phoebe (Dan) Krogman of White River. Grandchildren Lance (Karen), Chevon, Siri (Allen), Anya, Jessica, Adam, Jason (Heather), Chelsey (Ryan), Kristan, Misty, Richelle, and Carson (Taylor); 16 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Helen Vos, five step-grandchildren, 10 step-great-grandchildren, and many other friends and family who were blessed to have known her.

Doris was preceded in death by husband Jim, her parents, two brothers, two sisters, grandchildren Darin Hart and Chrystelle Janke-Andrews, two great-grandchildren Brantley and Sawyer Talley, son-in-law Bill Logsdon, and one step-grandson.

A memorial has been established to the White River United Methodist Church, White River American Legion Auxiliary, and Mellette County Senior Citizens Center.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the community events center.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. CST on Monday, May 10, at the Community Events Center in White River.

Interment will follow at the White River Cemetery.

Service Details

FUNERAL SERVICE
Monday, May 10, 2021 - 11:00 a.m. CST
Community Events Center
White River, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Linda Baldock
Pastor Jason Christensen

MUSIC
Linda Harrison - Pianist
Doris’s Family - Special Music
“Family Tree”
“Surely the Presence”

USHERS
Dick Jans - Steve Twite -
Barry Jensen - Katie Jensen

REGISTER BOOK ATTENDANTS
Ila Tucker - Louann Krogman

FLOWER ATTENDANTS
Marilyn Seymour - Pat Stromer

PALLBEARERS
Doris’s Grandchildren

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Rose West - Donna Jensen
Jan Rasmussen - Rosie Glynn - Jean Schmidt

INTERMENT
White River Cemetery
White River, South Dakota

Guest Book

My condolences to the family, but especially to Andy and Phil, the only two I know. I'm so sorry for the void you must feel in your lives. It's never easy to lose a parent, especially when you've had them with you for so long. Take care. She's not really lost; you know where she is. Hugs to you both.
   ~ Denny (Gray) Stevens Topeka, KS (6/14/2021)
One of the kindest women I have known.
   ~ Mary Hayenga Spearfish (5/6/2021)
What a day of celebration when Doris saw Jesus face to face! I bet her smile was even bigger then the one in the photo. She was always so supportive of me and my ministry she will be missed. Enjoy heaven Doris, enjoy heaven!
   ~ Kathy Chesney Philip (5/6/2021)
Prayers to the family
   ~ Hugh Harty Owanka, SD (5/4/2021)
Prayers for all the Families. Doris was a friendly person enjoyed visiting with her and Jim when we were in White River.
   ~ Bonnie Madsen Kadoka, SD (5/5/2021)
Peggy and I send our deepest sympathies for you and your families for the passing of your mom. I will always remember her for her positive energy she brought to family gatherings. She lived a long fruitful life and know you are thankful to have her as your mom. We will always remember Doris and our entire family, we have truly been blessed to have been a part of our family.
Tim & Peggy Vos

   ~ Tim & Peggy Vos Naperville, Il (5/9/2021)
Even as a young niece, I experienced Doris as a wise and capable woman. I have specific memories of her serving us cold iced tea on our visits to South Dakota in the hot summer. I will never forget the experience of her and the cousins teaching me and my brother and two sisters to sing Angels Watching Over Me in a round. I love the images of her at the piano. What a great legacy of faith she has in her immediate family and in her extended Vos family in Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, Florida and Virginia.
   ~ Valerie Vos Spaur Virginia (5/10/2021)
I am so sorry for your loss. God be with you.
   ~ Pastor Carli Steffes Sioux Falls (5/7/2021)
Our prayers and sympathy to the Vos family. We have many fond memories from Little Brown Church days! Your dads first church and our daughter Lori was one of two babies for his first baptisms, Doris always had a smile and happy disposition! I still have some of her delicious cookie recipes. Treasure your wonderful memories.
   ~ LaVona & Jack Kirkpatrick Midland,SD (5/6/2021)
Virginia
   ~ Valerie Vos Spaur Powhatan (5/10/2021)
Always a cheery smile and a kind heart. An honor to know her & Jim.
   ~ Rev. Peary and Eileen Wilson Custer, SD (5/6/2021)

Flowers

Image
Ed and Susan Krogman and Family and WIGWAM
Image
Steve, Linda, and Sarah
Image
Image
HVAC Elements
Image
American Legion Auxiliary
Image
96 Ranch - Leo, Ruby, Gary, and Sharon
Image
Gene Vos Family
Image
The Joe and Dan Dougherty Families and the Kramers
Image
Your friends at the White River United Methodist Church