Doris E. (Klaus) Thompson

Doris E. (Klaus) Thompson

July 14, 1928 – January 24, 2023

Doris E. Thompson (Klaus), 94, passed away on January 24, 2023 at the Fountain View Sr. Care Facility in Omaha, NE, where she had lived for the last 12 years. She was born in Ute, Iowa and was a long-time resident there. She and her husband, Francis owned and operated the Ute Locker for many years.

Doris is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Harbaugh (Thomas) from Monroeville, PA; sons, Myron and Gary from Omaha, NE; daughter in-law, Carol Thompson (Lee) from Cary, NC; sisters, LaRue Tanner (Glenn) and LaDonna King (Vernon). Doris is also survived by nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Doris was the daughter of Ernest and Leona Klaus (Knutson). She was born July 14, 1928 on the family farm near Ute, one of nine children. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Francis; son, Lee; two daughters-in-law, Kristy (Myron) and Julianne (Gary); brothers, Milford (Edith) and Orvan; sisters: Williamette, her twin, Dorothy Fisher (Herald), Wilma Neumann (Herbert) and Sharon Swink (Herman).

She began a teaching career in 1946 in a rural country school near Ute. After working with Francis for many years at the Ute Locker, she taught kindergarten in East Monona School District for 30+ years until her retirement. Doris attended night school and summer school at Drake University while teaching full time, ultimately earning an Elementary Education degree. She was active in the Ute and Soldier communities.

Mom LOVED a road trip! She and Grandma Klaus took us to Norfolk, VA on the train and while there to tour Washington DC and Virginia Beach. Later, she drove us to Colorado, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, San Bernadino, San Diego and Disneyland. She and Dad often traveled to North Carolina, Nevada, Colorado, California and Pennsylvania to visit family and grandchildren. While on the road, her favorite thing to say was, “Does anyone want some pie?” She enjoyed day trips to visit family and grandchildren in Omaha, and various vacations and cruises throughout her life and retirement.

Mom enjoyed embroidery, quilt making and crocheting. She was involved in the quilting circle at St. Paul’s and made countless beautiful projects. She was an avid Bingo player and enjoyed excursions to various casinos between Sioux City and Omaha. She loved playing cards with her family and friends, playing Pinochle, Mauser, 500, Spades and many others. She loved playing games such as Yahtzee and Aggravation. Although slowed by worsening dementia in the last few years, she was always up for a rousing game of Yahtzee.

She was a member of Saint Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ute, IA, all of her life, being baptized, confirmed and married there. Her funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Monday, February 27, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. with an hour of visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will be at St. Clair Cemetery in Ute immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Doris E. Thompson to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online at www.DementiaSociety.org/donate. Or if you prefer, to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 303 E. 4th Street, Ute, IA 51060.