Doris Marion Stoffel

Doris Marion Stoffel, Age 97, Spanaway, Washington, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2014 at the Franciscan Hospice House, University Place, WA, after suffering complications from a stroke. Doris was born on August 14, 1917 in Durbin, North Dakota to Julia Miller (Warner) and Herman Miller. She was the oldest of 11 children. In 1940, she married John Marian Stoffel in Yuma, AZ. They were married for 43 years and lived in Ray, MN until 1980, then moved to Spanaway, WA where they lived together until his death in 1983 at the age of 71. Doris loved her home and her wish was to be able to continue to live in her home… which she was able to do. Doris worked as a cook/baker during the late 1960’s at Helen’s Cafe and the Rex Hotel while in Minnesota. She continued to work in Tacoma, WA at the Turkey Inn until the mid 1990s. When she wasn’t working, she always kept busy tending to the flower/vegetable garden, sewing, cooking, reading or helping family and friends. Her love for sewing led her into the Spanaway Lutheran Church quilting group where she actively participated up until the last year when her eyesight began to deteriorate. She loved to dance and joined several dance clubs attending dances as often as four times a week, until she no longer felt able to participate. As the oldest of 11 children, she had wanted to help her mother raise their rather large family so she put her high school education on hold. For her own self satisfaction, she later went on to complete her education and receive a General Educational Development (GED) diploma. Doris is survived by her son Glenn Stoffel, Kettle River, MN, and three daughters,; Phyllis Martin, Spanaway, WA, Marilyn Selander (Scott Matthews), Ash Lake, MN, and Jeanice DeLong, Spanaway, WA. She is survived by 8 grandchildren, Rana Thydean, Littlefork, MN, Sheri Kaeser, Spanaway, WA, Marty Kapaul, Tacoma, WA, Ron Selander, Indianapolis, IN, Brian Selander, Buhl, MN, Tanya Rabold, Duluth, MN, Christina Jacobson, Tacoma, WA, and Terrence DeLong, Spanaway,WA. She is survived by 11 great-grandchildren, Eric, Gina and Levi Thydean, Littlefork, MN, Stephanie Kaiser, Spanaway, WA, Kirstie Helgerson (Selander), Duluth, MN, Sydney and Jenna Rabold, Duluth, MN, Jordan, Rylan and Madison Jacobson, Tacoma, WA, and Adelaide Cordes (DeLong), Orting, WA. Also baby boy Mason DeLong, due November 27, 2014. Her surviving siblings are Maxine Spiedel, Springfield, Missouri; Wilhelmina (Billie/Harold) Schatzke, Fargo, North Dakota and Vernon Miller, Fargo, North Dakota. Also preceding her in death were sisters Ruth Roney, El Monte, CA and Virginia Heller, Leonard, North Dakota and brothers Gustave Miller, Clara City, CA, LeRoy Miller, California City, CA, Herman Miller, Jr., Fargo, North Dakota, Harold Miller, Durbin, North Dakota, and Myron Miller, El Monte, CA. A memorial service to honor Doris is scheduled for September 2, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at Spanaway Lutheran Church, Spanaway, WA. Service will be presided by Pastor John Schier-Hanson. There will be a reception following the service. Contact Spanaway Lutheran Church at 253-531-7000 for additional information. Cremation services will be provided by Edwards Memorial, University Place, WA. Doris will be placed beside her husband at Fir Lane Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Spanaway, WA. Memorial donations may be made to the Spanaway Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1300, Spanaway, WA 98387, in honor of her faithful participation of 34 years. Thanks to family and friends for all their prayers and words of comfort. The strength and determination that Doris exhibited in her daily life was an inspiration to everyone that she came in contact with.