Doris Speer
Doris Ann Lauridsen Speer was born Aug. 18, 1943 in Storm Lake, IA to Lloyd and Lorna Lauridsen.
She passed on to her eternal home on Sept. 26, 2017, after being diagnosed with cancer in 2016.
Her body has been donated to Mayo Clinic. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
She moved with her family to a farm south of Grand Meadow, MN when she was four years old and resided there until she married in 1961.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Robert Speer, Rochester, MN; a daughter, Teresa Speer Bishop (Paul), Burlington, IA; two sons, Neal Speer (Ann) Albuquerque, NM, and Dean Speer (Lori) Powder Springs, Ga.; and one foster daughter, Joni Graves (Dean) Osage, IA.
She is also survived by grandchildren, Joshua Bishop (Kim), Wapello, IA, Caryn Huisinga (Dale) Aplington, IA, Kylie Speer. Powder Springs, GA, Victoria McKeever, Cortland, NY, Coleman Speer, Albuquerque, NM. She was also blessed with precious great grandchildren and foster grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, LaMonte Lauridsen (Bootsie) of Baldwin City, KS; one sister, Katherine Lauridsen Speer (Dale), Elgin, MN; a granddaughter, Samantha Ann Speer, Albuquerque, NM; and a nephew, Adrian Speer, Elgin, MN.
While in high school in Grand Meadow, MN Doris worked for Dr. Mori’s family as a nanny.
After graduating from high school in 1961 she married Robert Speer and then worked in Dr. Mori’s medical office until 1963.
She and Robert and their family lived in numerous places in Minnesota and Iowa (including Fayette, IA) over the next several years, moving to Dryden, NY in 1985. While living in Dryden, Doris loved her career as the instructional technology facilitator at the high school for 20 years. While employed at Dryden high school, Doris served on the Teachers’ Center Policy Board.
Doris and Bob were fortunate to enjoy extensive traveling over the years, visiting all 50 states.
In 2009 Doris and her husband moved to West Burlington, IA. While in West Burlington, Doris greatly enjoyed volunteering for Great River Hospice. She and her husband were members of Messiah Lutheran Church in Burlington and Doris enjoyed quilting with Messiah’s quilting group.
In June of 2017 Doris and her husband relocated to Rochester, MN to be closer to the Mayo Clinic for treatment of her cancer. They resided at Meadow Lakes assisted living.
Her faith and love for her family were the most important elements in her life. She was deeply grateful for the many golden friendships that she was privileged to have throughout the years. She was particularly grateful for the loving care and support she received from a special niece, LaVonne (Speer) Beck of Elgin, MN, in addition to the lifelong friendship and dedication of her friend Susie Kjeer, of Ostrander, MN.
She was at peace and looking forward to passing on to her eternal home. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to Great River Hospice in Burlington, Iowa.