Doris Elaine Quinn Severson
WESTFIELD — Doris Elaine Quinn Severson, 92, of Westfield — a daughter, sister, sister-in-law, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother and, most of all, friend — died Thursday, May 9, 2008.
Doris was a quiet yet strong spirit with a wonderful sense of humor. She was born Aug. 9, 1915, to Ben and Leila Quinn. From the beginning, she was rooted in family with nine siblings; brothers Clair, Pete (Ivan), Ellis, Neale, Eldon, Keith, Robert and sisters Marian Black and Marlene Wenzel. She met her husband, Ansel Severson, at Turner dance hall in Madison. They were married Jan. 23, 1937, and had their wedding dance at the Blue Eagle dance hall in Harrisville. They continued to dance through life, celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary in 2001. They had four children, Larry Severson, Joanne "Jo" Drew, Karen Vick and Susan Kravick, who were followed by 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Doris was the family anchor and passed her values to those around her not through words but through how she lived her life. She valued family and friendship above all else. Doris could always be counted on for a great conversation, a shoulder to lean on, a good letter or a warm meal. She had a strong work ethic, working on the family farm and then eventually moving to Madison with her sister Marian, where they worked in a potato chip factory. Many remember Doris putting in long hours at Sunnyside Resort on Lake Kegonsa just outside of Stoughton that she owned with her husband Ansel for nearly 20 years.
She loved being with people and spending time in the sun, whether golfing, gardening or watching one of her grandchildren's many sporting events. She loved to fish, especially trout, and had many special times with her family on the lake. Like her grandmother Huber, Doris was an avid baseball fan and followed the Brewers every season. She spent many evenings playing cards and an occasional trip to take her chances on a game of bingo or the slots. As many know, she won more than she lost. She and Ansel were members of the Sons of Norway of Stoughton and she was active in Westfield's 500 Club. Doris loved to travel. It didn't matter if it was by car or by airplane, she was always up for a good adventure. One of her favorite trips was one she took to Switzerland with the Alpine Brass and her daughters Jo and Karen, Karen's husband Bob and her sister Marian. She also enjoyed spending many of the winters in her retirement in Phoenix and Ellington, Fla.
Doris seemed to have the secret to life, the ability to enjoy it even when the fish weren't biting. She lived 92 years and died as she lived — peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. Her smile, her laughter and her quick wit, her hugs, her letters and visits will be missed, as will her famous strawberry Jell-O and Easter Bunny cake. She will be remembered for how she lived, and others will do their best to follow her example. She will be loved always.
Doris has many here who will miss her, including brothers Neale and wife Elda, Keith and wife Peggy, Bob and wife Mary; sister-in-law Eloise Quinn; sisters Marian Black and Marlene Wenzel; son Larry and wife JoAnn Severson; daughters, Joanne Drew and husband Jerry Bitney, Karen Vick and husband Bob, Susan Kravick and husband Bob; grandchildren Perry (Ann) Drew, Christine Drew, Douglas (Bonnie) Drew, Daniel Severson (Shelley), Ben Vick, Kimberly (Denis) Rusalen, Mike (Kimberly) Vick, Chad (Cindy) Kravick, Jacquelyn (Mark) Paulsen; and 19 great-grandchildren Nicole and Kyle Drew, Jennifer and Austin Lapp, Nick and Kurt Struzynski, Derek, Trista, Carly and Halle Drew, Emily and Cody Severson, Chloe and Joseph Rusalen, Brandon Vick, Caitlin and Cailee Kravick, and Clara and Robert Paulsen.
She will be met in heaven by those who went before her, her parents Ben and Leila; husband Ansel; brothers Pete, Ellie and his wife Doris, Eldon and his wife Dorothy, Clair and his wife Ellen; brothers-in-law Randall Black and Donald Wenzel; and granddaughter Terri Severson.
A funeral service for Doris will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at New Beginnings Christian Community Church, Westfield, with Pastor Terry Temanson officiating. Interment will be in Riverside "Lawrence" Cemetery, township of Westfield. A visitation will be held Sunday from 1 p.m. until the hour of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St. Agnes Hospice Hope, 745 S. Lake St., Green Lake, WI 54941. Steinhaus-Holly Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Westfield, is serving the family.
The family would like to thank the staff at Mill Pond Senior Living, who took wonderful care of Doris for the past three years and became a part of the family. They would also like to thank the nurses and volunteers at Hospice Hope, Agnesian Healthcare who helped Doris and the family through the last leg of her wonderful journey. This obituary gives a small glimpse of her life, but everyone will have sacred memories that will be cherished and shared with the generations to come.