Doris Doolittle

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around you and whispered, “Come to Me”… Doris Doolittle, 88, Edgewood Vista, Bismarck, went into God’s arms Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, Jan. 27, at First Presbyterian Church, 214 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will be held at the Mandan Union Cemetery, Mandan.

Doris Marie (Roethel) Doolittle was born in Mandan, ND, on March 12, 1931 to William and Pauline (Savage) Roethel of Glen Ullin. Doris graduated from Glen Ullin High School in 1949. That summer she attended Valley City State College and earned a teaching certificate. Her first assignment was teaching in a rural, one room schoolhouse southeast of Hazelton, ND. In those days, it was customary that teachers stayed with local families near schools which they were assigned. Little did Doris know, but it would be in this small, rural area   she would meet the love of her life, Harry (Lee) Doolittle. During a cold, winter blizzard, Doris became stranded in the schoolhouse. Lee took a team of horses, rescued Doris and brought her back to the family farmstead. Their love for each other grew quickly after that snowy winter day and just a few years later, on May 24^th 1952, Doris and Lee vowed their love for one another. Doris and Lee lived on the family farm near Hazelton until 1995 when they moved to Bismarck.

Doris loved being around people, whether it was family, friends or complete strangers. Anyone who had the pleasure of crossing paths with Doris would agree that her big, friendly smile could light up any room. Coffee parties with close friends were her favorite pastime and were a daily necessity. She had a loving spirit about her that was always wanting to take care of others, making sure everyone was comfortable and well fed. She had a way of making people feel special!  You could be assured that there was always a hot pot of coffee ready for you when you stopped by.

Cooking and baking were special talents that Doris possessed. She loved to share and give of her tasty dishes. Some of her specialties included her famous potato salad, fried chicken, and delectable pies. She just recently passed down the recipe and helpful hints for her famous buns. 

She also enjoyed traveling and spending her winters with Lee in Lake Havasu and Bullhead City, Arizona where they made lifelong friendships.

Doris and Lee adored spending time together and were a beautiful example not only to their family, but also to many others of their unfailing love for one another. May 24^th 2020 would have marked 68 years together as husband and wife.

Doris is survived by her husband Lee, Bismarck; sons, Douglas (Bev) Doolittle, Bismarck, and Bruce (Stephanie) Doolittle, Hazelton; five grandchildren, Kari (Mark) Assel, Bismarck; Wes Doolittle, Chanhassen, MN; Wyatt (Jami) Doolittle, Delano, MN; Devin (Shawn) Murphy, Carpio, ND; and Dillon Doolittle, Hazelton. Doris was blessed to have 6 great-grandchildren, Tyler, Dominic, Alex, Jaxon, Parker and Ryan.  She saw them often and loved them so very much. Doris is also survived by her sister Polly Justice, Ooltewah, TN and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Ralph Roethel.  

Red was Doris’ favorite color and exemplifies beautifully her vibrant life and all the love she had to give. We extend an invite to those attending Doris’ celebration of life to wear the color red.