Doris Willard

Doris Mae Willard died peacefully at home on Saturday, June 6, 2015, with her daughters by her side and under the care of Iowa River Hospice. Doris was born December 30, 1922, the eldest child of William R. and Esther Agnes (nee Balliet) Ringhardt in Portage, Wisconsin. She graduated in 1940 from Portage High School and later from Groves-Barnhart School of Business, Madison, Wisconsin. On June 10, 1950, Doris married Donald Earl Willard in Bloomington, Wisconsin. Doris and Don made homes in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, and Sioux City, Iowa, before moving to Marshalltown in 1964. Doris began her career as a legal secretary and after moving to Marshalltown, worked for E & F Stamp Company and Area Education Agency 6 (now AEA 267). After her retirement in 1990, she continued to work part-time as a food demonstrator at Econo Foods and Hy-Vee, where she enjoyed meeting many friends who knew her simply as the Pizza Lady. Doris dedicated her life to caring for others. She was a ferocious bridge player and an accomplished seamstress. She loved animals and had a lifelong appreciation of nature. Doris is survived by Sherri King, of Marshalltown, and Doneen (Richard) Whitaker, of Fairfax, Virginia, her daughters; Dani (Nathan) Minkel, of Marshalltown, and Gregory Whitaker, of Des Moines, Iowa, her grandchildren; and Kaegan Minkel, her great-granddaughter. In addition, she is survived by Sadie Hagan of North Dakota, her sister; Roger Gray of Portage, Wisconsin, and Clyde Willard, of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, her brothers-in-law; as well as many nieces and nephews. Doris was preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents, and one sister, Charleen Gray. She was also preceded in death by two young brothers, William and Benjamin Ringhardt, and by infant twin sisters. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 11, 2015 from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm at Mitchell Family Funeral Home, 1209 Iowa Avenue in Marshalltown, Iowa, 50158. A celebration of life service will take place Friday, June 12, 2015, at 10:00 am, also at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be directed to the Marshalltown Animal Rescue League or to Iowa River Hospice.