Doris Geise

Doris Ruth Geise, age 92, died on October 11, 2013 at Prairie Lakes Hospital at Watertown, South Dakota. Visitation will be on Monday from 5-7PM at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark and will continue on Tuesday morning, October 15, 2013 at the Church in Clark. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 11AM in the St. Paul Lutheran Church at Clark with The Reverend Robin Schaunaman officiating. The organist will be Dorothy Fuller with Roger Nordhus as soloist. Casketbearers will be her 4 grandchildren and Bob Benson. The great-grandchildren will be considered honorary casketbearers. Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark. Doris was born on a farmstead near Clark, South Dakota on August 7, 1921 to Bert and Matilda (Lien) Christenson, the third of five children. She was baptized and confirmed at Clark Center Lutheran Church and later became an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. She enjoyed singing in the choir, directing summer Bible School, and participating in women's bible studies, Ladies Aid, and the annual lutefisk and lefse supper. After graduation from Clark High School in 1939, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and worked at a law firm. She moved back to Clark where she was employed with the Clark County courthouse. Doris was married to Elwin B. Geise on July 30, 1945, who was serving in the Army during World War II. Elwin finished his military career, and soon after, the young couple moved to St. Louis, Missouri where Elwin worked for the family owned Makit Toy factory and Doris was employed for Dunn and Bradstreet. When the opportunity arose, Doris and Elwin moved back to Clark to join in the farming operation with Elwin's father. The couple built a home in Clark while Elwin was actively farming and raising cattle. Early on, Doris was a homemaker and mother, along with occasionally assisting with farm duties. When her children were older, Doris was employed as a proof-reader for the Clark County Courier and later had a long career as a bookkeeper at Clark Community Oil Company. When Elwin became ill she devoted her time to caring for her husband until his death in 1981, following a marriage of 36 years. Having a common bond through the loss of their spouses, Doris began a close friendship with Alvah Macer of Clark. Their companionship provided an opportunity for both to travel, share time with family and friends, and support each other throughout the rest of their lives. Doris was an active member of the PEO Sisterhood for many years, serving in various level of leadership, including presidency. She was an avid bowler in both couple's and women's leagues. Later in life, she took up golf. For many years, she enjoyed participating in bridge clubs and playing most other card games. She also found time to volunteer in the community as a Cub Scout den leader when her children were young and as a server with the Meals On Wheels program in retirement. After Alvah's death on October 2, 2013, Doris was aware that her family was already gathered by her side and being ever mindful of the needs of others, Doris died nine days later. She is survived by children Ron (Brenda) Geise of Mesa, Arizona and Cindy (Lynn) Larson of Las Vegas, Nevada, along with four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Doris is also survived by her dear younger sister, Clarice Christenson (Wales) of Cincinnati, Ohio. Doris was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters and her brother. Throughout her long and wonderful life, Doris will be most remembered for her warm hugs, fun-loving spirit, quick wit, and bonding friendship. Memorials in her memory may be directed to the Clark Center Preservation Fund %Delma & DuWayne Wallen at Clark or the St. Paul Lutheran Church, outdoor planter fund %Greg Furness at Clark. Furness Funeral Home of Clark is serving the family where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com