Doris A. Wangsvick, age 94 of Fair Oaks, California, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2013 at the Hialeah Terrace in Fair Oaks, CA.

The Funeral Service for Doris will be held at 10:30am MT Saturday, December 21, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mott. Pastor John Amundson will officiate with burial in Sunnyslope Cemetery at Mott.

Doris A. Wangsvick left us Monday morning December 9, 2013 at the Hialeah Terrace Assisted Living facility in Fair Oaks CA. She died peacefully in her sleep with family and caregivers at her side.

Doris was born on a small homestead farm near Bucyrus ND on June 26, 1919 to Charles and Lily (Buffenbarger) Striker, who had resettled from Indiana. Doris grew up with sisters, Edith and Chloe, and brothers, Ken, Marion, Dale, and Lynn. As children they all worked together and enjoyed events at their church and school. Although only 5'2"", Doris especially liked playing basketball.

From the farm Doris went to Dickinson ND Teachers College and then taught grades 1 through 8 in a one-room schoolhouse. She met Delmar Wangsvick of Mott ND, a Windcharger and Case dealer, and they were married on December 8, 1941, the day after the Pearl Harbor attack. Motivated by this event, Delmar joined the Army Air Corps and was sent to England as a navigator in a bomber squadron, while Doris continued her teaching career. They were ready to start a family when he returned to Mott in 1945. There she had 3 little boys right in a row, Dean, Carl, and Lynn (now called Del). A girl, Marvel, finally arrived in 1952. Delmar rejoined the service (in what was at that point called the Air Force) and Doris became a military wife and a very busy mother. Like most service families, they lived in a number of places: Massachusetts, Alaska (where son Ernie was born), Florida, Nebraska, and Grand Forks, ND.

Retiring in 1970, Doris and Delmar moved to Key West FL where the pace slowed down. Bridge, book club, yard-sailing, and church activities were all enjoyed. Key West's gorgeous weather and beautiful setting, as well as Doris and Delmar's hospitality, encouraged many ""northern"" visitors. After Delmar's passing in 1993 Doris learned all the things an independent woman needs to know.

By 2010, at age 90, Doris needed help getting around and was accompanied to California by son Dean of San Francisco CA and daughter Marvel of Sacramento CA, where she lived at the Atria El Camino and then Hialeah Terrace assisted living facilities, both in the Sacramento area. Niece Connie and husband Dave also lived nearby to visit and provide support. In California, Doris celebrated birthdays 91 thru 94, often with additional family visiting from afar.

Doris is survived by son Dean and his partner Joanne Allen from San Francisco, CA, son Carl and wife Anne from Fort Collins, CO, son Del and wife Kitrina from Lakeside, CA, daughter Marvel from Sacramento, CA, and son Ernie from Key West, FL; by grandson Paul and wife Naomi Wangsvick from Sunnyvale, CA, grandson Chad and wife Kiersten Wangsvick from Tucson, AZ, granddaughter Cindy and husband Ross Wilbur from Fort Collins, CO, grandson Erik from Fort Collins, CO, and grandson Johnny and wife Mari Wangsvick from Lakeside, CA; by great grandchildren Annika, Jessika, Luke, Janae, Ava, Nora Rose, Archer, and Leif; by niece Connie and husband Dave from Sacramento, CA, by nephew Mick Wangsvick and wife Kathy from Mott, ND and by many other nieces and nephews.

Doris is the last of her generation, being preceded in death by her husband Delmar, parents Charles and Lily, brothers, Ken, Marion, Dale, and Lynn, and sisters Edith Freeburg and Chloe Eckes.

In many ways our Mom was the strongest one in the family, with love, common sense, and determination in abundance. She was the one we just naturally looked to hold things together, to make things ok. We will miss her very much and will strive to get along without her. Mom's work on Earth is done. She can rest now.

Visitation will be on Friday from 1:00 to 7:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Mott and on Saturday one hour prior to services at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mott.