Josephine Doerr Abel

Josephine (Jo) Doerr Abel
1919 ~ 2013
Josephine (Jo) Doerr Abel, a longtime resident of Juneau, Alaska passed away at the age of 94 on October 8, 2013 at the Pioneers Home in Sitka, Alaska.
Jo was born on April 18, 1919 in Boise, Idaho to John George (J.G.) Doerr and Maude (Mueller) Doerr. She was raised in Boise along with her two brothers, Maury and George, and her sister, Elizabeth (Jensen). She graduated from St. Teresa's Academy in 1937. Following high school, Jo attended the University of Idaho in Moscow and about that time began her lifelong love of baseball when Maury became partial owner of the Twin Falls Cowboys minor league baseball team. Over the years she became an avid fan of the Seattle Mariners and a memory she cherished was attending a Mariners game and sitting in a box seat.
In the early 1940's, her intrepid spirit led her to her beloved Southeast Alaska where she met and married Donald Bruce Abel, Sr. They settled in Juneau and that is when the adventure of Jo's life truly began. Together Don and Jo hunted, fished, and explored Southeast Alaska. She prided herself in being able to attract a bear pretty much every time she stepped into the woods and learned very quickly how to handle a gun. The family spent countless days aboard their boat "Willing" which along with Don became known as "Willing and Abel." She was also active in Don's business, Don Abel Building Supply.
Don and Jo raised five children, Don Jr. (Lois), Jim (Betty) and David (Lyn) of Juneau, K. Joe (Jean) of Sun City, AZ, and Bonnie Urresti of Boise. She was very active in their lives as they grew up and never missed one of their school activities or sporting events. Jo never viewed herself as a good cook, but could bake a pie that would attract her kid's friends almost daily to her home after school. She loved to knit and kept all family members stocked with socks and sweaters. She was an accomplished bridge player and active with the Pioneers of Alaska.
In 1974 she and Don purchased a condominium in Honokowai, Maui, HI and they enjoyed annual "winter breaks" in Hawaii until Don's death in 1983. She made many good friends during her time in Hawaii and continued splitting her time between Juneau and Maui until selling the condo in 2007.
Jo loved to laugh and her quick wit and sharp tongue will be missed by her entire extended family who survives her including her 5 children, 16 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.
To support the continuing care of home residents, those wishing to make a memorial donation may submit them to:
Sitka Pioneers Home Auxiliary Fund
Sitka Pioneers Home
120 Katlian Street
Sitka, AK 99835