DORIS MAE GIBSON

Doris Mae (Duffield) Gibson was born March 3, 1915, in Padroni, CO and passed away May 20, 2020 at the Village Care Center in Indianola. Doris was the second oldest of five children born to Ray and Pearl Mae (Harris) Duffield. Doris married Chester “Chet” Gibson on May 9, 1936 in Bethany, MO. To this union two children were born; a son, Johnny Ray, who died at birth, and a daughter, Joyce Ann. They enjoyed a long life together for 67 years, before the passing of Chet in October 2003.
Doris’ parents homesteaded in Padroni, CO in 1914. In 1919 the family moved back to Iowa and purchased a farm west of Kellerton. She attended grade school at South Creek Country School in Athens Township. Doris graduated from Kellerton High School in 1933 with a Normal Training Certificate. She taught country school at Merritt #5 in Athens Township for three years, having all eight grades, including beginners. Sixteen pupils in all (all three years). Doris rode a little western pony 2 ½ miles to school from home on Hwy. 2. Teaching school in a one room country school was quite a challenge. It took lots of lesson planning and much janitor work, including building your own fires, cleaning, etc.
In the spring of 1941, following the death of Chet’s father, they purchased the home place three miles northwest of Kellerton and lived there until health failed them. Following the passing of Chet, Doris made her home with her daughter until January 2019, when she moved into the Village Care Center. Chet and Doris loved the farm life and worked hard to make a living during some very rough times, but they were happy! They enjoyed gardening and working in the fields and taking care of their livestock together. Doris was a stay-at-home wife and mother until Joyce was through high school and then she had the opportunity to work at the Kellerton Post Office as Clerk. She enjoyed the friends of Kellerton who would greet her on a daily basis. She spent many hours harvesting garden produce and canning or freezing for later use. She was a good seamstress, making many of Joyce’s early years clothing. She also enjoyed crafts and fine handwork, crocheting and embroidery. Doris was a wonderful cook. She made preparing meals look easy, with delicious main dishes, fried chicken, homemade bread, pies, cakes, etc. Her family and friends enjoyed many meals around her big oak dining room table, as well as the dinners she prepared for threshers. Everyone was always welcome to pull up a chair and visit over a Pepsi or glass of iced tea and whatever might be available for a meal or snack. Doris was a very special and loving wife, mother and homemaker. She was loved by her family and friends and will be deeply missed.
Doris was a lifetime and active member of the United Methodist Church of Kellerton and was President of the Women’s Society several times, Sunday School Superintendent and President of the PTA at Kellerton while Joyce was in school there. She taught classes in crafts for the ladies of Ringgold County through Farm Bureau. Doris was a 77-year member of the Rebekah Lodge and enjoyed the State Assembly Sessions and activities related to that organization. She and Chet enjoyed their lodge work together and the many acquaintances and friends they made along the way.
Doris and Chet’s grandsons, Bryan and Brent, were a very special enjoyment in their life. They were very instrumental in assisting in their years of becoming adults. Many weekends were spent at the farm. A little work and lots of play, getting sheep ready for show, etc.
Doris, being 105 years old, has seen many changes in her lifetime, from dropping their meat and milk down into a well to keep it cold, to modern day freezer. Raising the chickens, dressing them early in the morning and fried perfectly and on the table for dinner.
Power to the house was run from a generator, until electricity was available, their home being the first in the neighborhood to have electricity. Transportation was by horseback until their first car, a Model A.
Doris was preceded in death by her loving husband, Chet, of 67 years and her infant son; her parents, Ray and Pearl Duffield; brothers, Leland, Ted and Dennis Duffield; sisters-in-law, Janice Duffield, Bernice Gibson and Edna Gibson; brothers-in-law, Leo and Woodie Gibson.
She is survived by her daughter, Joyce Kaster of Indianola; grandsons, Bryan and wife, Amy Kaster of Harlan and Brent Kaster of Indianola; great-grandchildren, Addie (Daylon) Klindt of Shelby, Kaleb, Greichaly and Ania Kaster of Harlan; brother, Tom Duffield and wife, Joyce, of Lucas; nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kellerton United Methodist Church.
Services were at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 25, 2020 at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, IA.
Officiating was Rev Rick Hawkins.
Vocalist were Addie Klindt, Kaleb Kaster, Greichaly Kaster and Ania Kaster.
Songs were “Amazing Grace”,  “Precious Memories”, “How Great Thou Art” and “I’ll Always Love You”.
Casketbearers were John Quinnell, Curtis Duffield, Kaleb Kaster, Daylon Klindt. Steven Norris,  Johnnie Gibson and Joe Gibson.
At rest at Maple Row Cemetery in Kellerton, IA.