Doris and a younger brother grew and thrived in Bend. When not attending school they enjoyed ice skating, and skiing on homemade skis. Summer provided hiking, swimming and other family outings in the family Model T Ford. She was also instructed in music. However, Doris and the family dog both suffered through violin lessons until allowed to trade the violin for a bugle. She marched in the Rose Bowl Parade with her high school Drum and Bugle Corp. She graduated from Bend High School in 1938; and the Deaconess School of Nursing in Spokane Washington as a registeered nurse in 1941.
She met Earl C. Jeans at a dance. She saw him across the floor wearing a black letterman sweater with a big orange T for Thurston; and she thought he was the most handsome man alive. They were married during a 3 hour pass in Aberdeen Washington February 13, 1942. Earl was deployed to fight in the South Pacific during WWII when their only child Susan was born. After Earl was discharged in 1946, Doris, Earl and their daughter eventually settled in Springfield Oregon. Earl was self-employed as a fishing guide on the McKenzie, Rogue, Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho, and rivers of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. He also skippered a charter boat out of La Push Washington. Doris pursued her career in nursing.
Doris began nursing when antibiotics were not available for hospitals and blood was not typed. She started as a hospital nurse, spent some time as a school nurse and spent most of her career as an industrial nurse. Places of employment during her career included: Salem Deaconess Hospital St. Charles hospital in Bend, Oregon, Oregon College of Education, in Monmouth Weyerhaeuser Plant in Springfield Oregon where she worked as an Industrial Nurse for 20 years. She also worked as an industrial nurse at Shell Oil Refinery in Anacortes WA. For 5 years before moving back to Springfield. In addition to nursing, she enjoyed painting, and was a member of the McKenzie Artists Guild. Other activities included reading, travel and supporting the U of O Ducks. She particularly enjoyed the good neighbors on 49th Loop in Springfield and the nieces and nephews who were always there for them.
Earl's declining health prompted a move in 2006 to join her daughter and Dennis Diaz in Lewiston Idaho. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Earl Jeans in 2007 shortly after their 65th wedding anniversary.
Doris is survived by: her daughter Susan Jeans Church and Dennis Diaz; grandson Jay Church and his wife Rachael and children John Allen and Chelsea Church of Boise Idaho; grandson Dan Church of Boulder, Colorado; brother and sister-in-law Don and Bonnie Allen of Eugene, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews who were a special part of her family.
The memorial service will be conducted Friday, July 13, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., at Springfield Memorial Garden in Oregon.
