A memorial service celebrating the life of Florence Myrtle Doerksen will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 at the First Christian Church of Corvallis, Ore. She died March 6, 2008 after a short illness.
Born May 12, 1914 to William and Alice A. Powell, in Cameron, La., the family moved to Cheneyville, La. In 1930, when Myrtle was 16, the family moved to Waterford. She completed Oakdale High School. On May 12, 1937, Myrtle married William "Bill" Doerksen, and they resided on a 20-acre farm near Denair. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Hughson, for over 60 years, and served as church pianist for most of that time. Her rousing and energetic style of piano playing was as much a character of that little church as was the Sunday morning ringing in the bell tower. She was active in other church programs, volunteered for many years at a local senior citizens meal site in Denair, and was a Girl Scout leader when her daughters were of scouting age.
After Bill's death in 1985, Myrtle for many years provided daily care and support to Justina and Eva, Bill's aging sisters. When they both passed on, Myrtle moved in 1996 to Samaritan Village in Corvallis, Ore., to be near members of her family. She enjoyed participating in the activities at Samaritan Village. She joined the First Christian Church in Corvallis, and served the Due Knots quilting group for several years.
She leaves behind her children, Allan Doerksen of Corvallis, Harvey Doerksen of Fairfax, Va., Rita Hazelton of Eugene, Ore.; sister-in-law Violet Powell of Turlock; and 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Doerksen, daughter Peggy Pennington, and five siblings who died as infants.
Remembrances may be sent to the First Christian Church, 602 S.W. Madison Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97333; or to the charitable organization of your choice.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /March 26, 2008
Born May 12, 1914 to William and Alice A. Powell, in Cameron, La., the family moved to Cheneyville, La. In 1930, when Myrtle was 16, the family moved to Waterford. She completed Oakdale High School. On May 12, 1937, Myrtle married William "Bill" Doerksen, and they resided on a 20-acre farm near Denair. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Hughson, for over 60 years, and served as church pianist for most of that time. Her rousing and energetic style of piano playing was as much a character of that little church as was the Sunday morning ringing in the bell tower. She was active in other church programs, volunteered for many years at a local senior citizens meal site in Denair, and was a Girl Scout leader when her daughters were of scouting age.
After Bill's death in 1985, Myrtle for many years provided daily care and support to Justina and Eva, Bill's aging sisters. When they both passed on, Myrtle moved in 1996 to Samaritan Village in Corvallis, Ore., to be near members of her family. She enjoyed participating in the activities at Samaritan Village. She joined the First Christian Church in Corvallis, and served the Due Knots quilting group for several years.
She leaves behind her children, Allan Doerksen of Corvallis, Harvey Doerksen of Fairfax, Va., Rita Hazelton of Eugene, Ore.; sister-in-law Violet Powell of Turlock; and 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Doerksen, daughter Peggy Pennington, and five siblings who died as infants.
Remembrances may be sent to the First Christian Church, 602 S.W. Madison Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97333; or to the charitable organization of your choice.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /March 26, 2008
