Joan Ruth Doty

Joan Ruth Doty, born August 14th, 1933, passed away Tuesday, November 7th, 2017 surrounded by family.

Joan was born on a farm on the west edge of Hewitt, MN. She attended school in Hewitt and graduated in 1951. Growing up she loved being outside running and playing, her pigtails trailing behind – probably running from her brothers who liked to tease her, but she had such a great sense of humor, she probably had it coming! Following graduation, she worked for the telephone company in Wadena, MN and then ventured West to live and work in Spokane, WA where she cared for her nieces. While there she experienced the mountains of Idaho and the shores of the Pacific Ocean which was just the beginning of many more adventures to come.

Joan married her high school sweetheart Harold (Hal) A. Doty on May 23rd, 1953 while he was in the US Navy. They made their home at the Alameda Naval Air Station in California where shortly after, Blayne was born. Her next move was to St. Cloud, MN where Hal finished college and Jolynn came along. The four of them were then off to Woods Cross, UT near Salt Lake City. She loved the fresh fruit grown in the area and all of the sunshine. After a short stint there it was a trip back home to Hewitt where she and the kids prepared for their big train ride to Beltsville, MD near Washington, DC. Nearly two years later Joan, Hal, Jolynn, and Blayne headed to the prairie and called Jamestown, ND home for the next 17 years. That was 1962 and 5 years later Tammy appeared. Their next stop would take her nearly full circle to Fergus Falls, MN then to Phelps Mills, not too far from where she began her journey in Hewitt.

Number one to mom was simply being a mother. Her kind spirit and concern for others was infectious and was passed on to those around her. Joan had a love for the arts. Her hands created numerous quilted works of art, drawings, paintings and words. One of her quilt blocks is part of the US Bicentennial quilt hanging in the state capital in Bismarck, ND. She volunteered in the “County Exchange” program in Jamestown where she did everything from teach cooking classes to help with child development. She was an active member of Maine Presbyterian Church and the Women’s Association where she facilitated many projects and activities. She sang in the church choir, organized quilt making for annual church auctions, and was always willing to help. She loved new foods which led to many years in a gourmet group with special friends. She had her children in the kitchen with her at a young age and this passion for food and cooking was passed on to them.

Joan was preceded in death by her mother and father, Edith and Harold Dull; 2 brothers, Alyn and Jack (Fern); and one sister, Viola Coleman (Howard). She is survived and will be missed by: her husband Harold of Battle Lake, MN; sister, Marvel (Ken) Blaske of Hewitt, MN; sister-in-law, Annie Dull of Sauk Rapids, MN; son, Blayne (Penny) Doty of Battle Lake, MN; daughters, Jolynn (Ross) Gienger of Jamestown, ND and Tammy (Tim) Hocum of Kodiak, AK. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and 4-legged friends.

Any memorials will go to Heifer International, a charity to help end hunger and poverty.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Maine Presbyterian Church, rural Underwood, MN
Clergy: Reverend Thomas Junkert
Interment: Hewitt Cemetery, Hewitt, MN, following the service and fellowship
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com