RIO - Doris Jeannette "Dorie" Tarpley, 85, of Rio, passed away Friday, Aug. 20, 2010 at home.
She was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Portage, the first child of Earl and Alice Cummings Grossmann. She graduated from Portage High School and attended Whitewater State Teachers' College. In 1945, she married Philip Tarpley. Dorie felt blessed to be a stay-at-home mom while raising their three children. Dorie was an active member of both Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rio and Hope Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, Fla., as well as Americana Cove Sunday Night Vespers. Dorie loved to read, garden, cook, play bridge, do pool exercises and travel. In May, she and Phil celebrated their 65th anniversary with an Alaskan cruise with their three children and two sons-in-law.
Dorie was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Alice Grossmann; a brother, Bob Grossmann; brothers-in-law, Jerry DeNure, Ludwig Knutson, Richard Tarpley and Orrin Bull; sisters-in-law, Eunice Knutson and Jean Tarpley; and grandson, Michael Sockrider. Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband, Phil; children, Jane (Bob) Sockrider, Terry Tarpley and Linda (Bill) West; beloved grandchildren, Nathan (Amanda) Sockrider, Matthew (Kay Leigh) Sockrider, Colleen (Mike) Haubert, Lindsey West (fiancé Rob Brammer) and Jonathan West. She found joy in her great-grandchildren, Caleb, Hannah and Gabriella Haubert and anticipated the birth in October of Mila Sockrider. Dorie is also survived by her brother, Gordon Grossmann (Marjorie); her sister; Darlene DeNure; and sister-in-law, Margaret Bull.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 11 at Redeemer Lutheran in Rio. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Dorie loved flowers, but wished memorials to be made to the Rio Library, American Cancer Society or Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rio.
Dorie had an unwavering belief in God and rejoices that she has gone home now and is reunited with family and friends who have gone before. She loved family reunions and will be waiting with open arms for us to join her.
Smith-Vangen Funeral Home in Rio is serving the family.
Posted in Obituaries on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 10:52 pm
