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BORN
1916
DIED
2013
FUNERAL HOME
Doris Whithorn Obituary
Doris was born on the family farm near Davenport, Neb. on Dec. 18, 1916 to Arthur and Lois Swenson. She and William F. (Bill) Whithorn were married June 25, 1939, and moved to Billings shortly thereafter. While in Billings, the Whithorns welcomed four children, Bruce, Carol, Alta, and Duane. They purchased The Wan-I-Gan and moved to Paradise Valley in 1948.
In addition to her four children, Doris had 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. She is survived by daughters, Carol Orr of Butte and Alta LeDoux (Vern) of Livingston; and daughters-in-law, Karen Whithorn of Vancouver, Wash. and Diana Whithorn of Livingston. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Orville Swenson; husband, Bill; sons, Bruce and Duane, and grandson, Ronnie Stands.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Yellowstone Gateway Museum, Box 815, Livingston; Pine Creek Methodist Church, 2470 E. River Rd., or a charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements by the Franzen-Davis Funeral Chapel in Livingston. Online condolences available at www.Franzen-Davis.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Doris Whithorn
Charles Turney II
August 22, 2013
I didn't get to spend much time with her, and the time that I did spend was short, but it touched me in a profound way that will impact me for the rest of my life.
August 14, 2013
What a woman! Think of all the written history she created. Please accept our condolences.
Patti & John Orndorff
Rose McElreath
August 9, 2013
Dear Alta & Family,
We are sorry to hear about your mom. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Carl & Rose
August 9, 2013
Dear Alta & Family,
We are sorry to hear about your mom. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Carl & Rose
Kathie Klunder
August 9, 2013
Alta and family you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love in Christ, Kathie and Troy
Laurie and Mike Burns
August 6, 2013
We feel like one of our own has departed- we've prayed for her and you, Alta and thoes caring for her for quite a while. She always sounded like a 'living big quietly' sort of person. I pray this experiance will ultamently bring you and sister and families
closer to Christ our Lord, with and insight to help others.
Mohan Raffety
July 30, 2013
Dear Whithorn Families! My condolences for the passing of your mom and grandma! I remember when Kelli and I had a project to do in the 4th grade, and I met Doris then. She was so wonderful, kind and had a nice smile. I have loved reading her books and learning about the rich history she wrote about, and was a part of. She has a great legacy left for all of us. May the peace of God be with you!
July 29, 2013
Dear Carol and Alta,
My condolences on the passing of your mom. She was an amazing lady to us all. I remember that she knew me even after I had gone to college and the Peace Corps and met her in Livingston one day. She made us all think about our heritage and how much happened to make our community what it is. She also showed us how ordinary people can make extraordinary contributions -- and she and your dad did them. Blessings to her, and to you.
Doug Griffith
July 28, 2013
Alta, Carol and families,
I remember Doris introducing you children as A,B,C, and D.
Do you remember when she wanted me to go to Pray to get the mail and I was to take all of you kids? I hadn't driven that much and I backed up the hill and was afraid to come down. I sent one of you kids in to get her. She didn't bat an eye- drove it down and sent us on our way.
I remember , with gratitude, the beautiful white leather jacket she made me. ( I wore it when I ran in the Farmer's Frolic Contest). Of course, I didn't get it but it wasn't because of that lovely jacket!!
She painted my tonsils with horrid tasting stuff, and when that didn't work she called in Dr. Townsend!
So many memories,
What an icon she was.
July 28, 2013
Alta, Carol and families,
I remember Doris introducing you children as A,B,C, and D.
Do you remember when she wanted me to go to Pray to get the mail and I was to take all of you kids? I hadn't driven that much and I backed up the hill and was afraid to come down. I sent one of you kids in to get her. She didn't bat an eye- drove it down and sent us on our way.
I remember , with gratitude, the beautiful white leather jacket she made me. ( I wore it when I ran in the Farmer's Frolic Contest). Of course, I didn't get it but it wasn't because of that lovely jacket!!
She painted my tonsils with horrid tasting stuff, and when that didn't work she called in Dr. Townsend!
So many memories,
Sorry I was out of state, and missed your tribute to her.
What an icon she was.
July 28, 2013
Carol and Alta - I was sorry to hear this news. What a wonderful legacy your mother has left all of us who consider this little part of Montana as 'home'. May you always treasure the good memories! Gretchen Lueck Downer
Charlotte Kolb
July 28, 2013
Knowing you Alta one gets a glimpse of who your Mother was and how lonely this natural world will be without her. Praise God that the world beyond this begins a glorious relationship with her and we will all be together one day! I will meet her then, God Bless in the coming years, I hope to see you soon. Love Bill and Charlotte Kolb
Jane Hatfield
July 27, 2013
Dear Alta & family....
What immediately came to mind was the summer of 1999, and some very fond memories of a trip down the Missouri River with your mom and about nine others (two also being her age). It was the first time meeting her and I was so impressed! Not only because of her age, but the energy she had! How many other women in their 80's would make that trip? And her stories – she was so interesting!
Hold tight to those precious memories of your mom and hold tight to our Lord Jesus. He will bring you more joy than you can imagine.
I am praying for your family
Love,
Loretta Chapman
July 27, 2013
So many folks have said it so well. What a wonderful lady she was! I always said that everyone in Park Co. should donate the last 6 months of their lives to Doris, so that she could keep on with all of her wonderful history gathering and writing. We have lost a very important person in Park County. I thank her for her books, and her friendship. We will ALL miss her forever. Peace in Heaven, Doris.
July 26, 2013
Dear Carol and Alta, We were sorry to hear of Doris's death. She certainly left her imprint on the lives of so many. I will never forget the wonderful leather jacket with beautiful bead work that she made me for graduation. She was an amazing lady with so many talents and a kind heart. Our sympathy and prayers to both of you and your families. Love, Ron & Nita Hatcher
Marilyn (Stockburger) Wix
July 26, 2013
Carol & Alta -- reading your mom's obituary brought back some good memories of when we were teens. I'm sorry to hear of her death.
Marvin and Mary Quesenberry
July 26, 2013
Dear Alta and family,
We're so sorry to hear about your Mom. We'll be praying that God's comfort and peace will surround you.
Jay Booth
July 25, 2013
I remember Doris Whithorn with great affection, for her knowledge of Park County History, for her devotion to sharing it, and for her really zany personality. You rock, Doris! Wherever you are, collect photos and take notes.
Larkin Vonalt
July 25, 2013
So much of Park County history's was preserved through Doris Whithorn's singular and stellar efforts. What a treasure she was! I can still remember that photograph of her riding a camel that appeared on the cover of the Park County Weekly. Our heartfelt sympathies to her family; she was really something. -Larkin Vonalt & Elmer Lieu
Doug Robson
July 24, 2013
Doris was a wonderful lady and has left a legacy of information and history of Livingston and Park County. I still remember and miss stopping at the Wanigan.
at peace and rest at Home
Julie Fink/Brantley
July 24, 2013
A debt of gratitude is held for this lady who would take me Home while reading her stories about Home...
Thanks Doris, for bringing us all together over the miles -
and decades.
Bill and Patty Kamrath
July 23, 2013
Alta and family,
We count ourselves lucky to have known your Mom and certainly have benefited from her care and love for Park County in so many ways. She lived a long and interesting life. We celebrate her life along with so many. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
July 23, 2013
Doris knew her history and wrote about it well. She provided me with many stories about sheep producers around Livingston which I published in the MONTANA WOOLROWER. What a grand lady from Wannigan. Bob Gilbert, Helena
Fred J. Martin, Jr.
July 23, 2013
If my father were alive today he could better report the wonderful accomplishments and the many things that made Doris so special. The Whithorn Collection will be a living monument to all that was chronicled for the benefit of all of us. We all are honored by her life and her legacy.
July 23, 2013
Doris was such a great lady. She was a fixture in Livingston, known by more than just locals! She will be missed. Our prayers are with you.
Ted and Sandy
Ann Calkin Davies
July 23, 2013
I have fond memories of being at the Wan-I-Gan when I was a little girl. Alta and I rode a black horse that was string halt, but to me that was pure heaven. My folks took lots of photos there. We lived in Billings then.
Mel and Glenda Mitchell
July 22, 2013
There were so many things to remember about your mother/grandmother. We will not soon forget her. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gary and Alaete Fish
July 22, 2013
What a wonderful lady and what a marvelous life she led. So many accomplishments and community endeavors. She will be missed by all. Not only a hard worker and a fabulous historian but a really sweet lady as well. Our condolences to the family.
Georgia (Haerr) Borg
July 22, 2013
Ohhhhhhh. . . those snakes! I hated them, yet I never missed a chance to have Dad stop to let me look at them. I always thought Doris was the bravest person in the county . . . still do! She was a beloved character from my character-filled childhood. Good memories; she was a treasure! Doris will be missed, but she will be remembered.
Nancy Adkins
July 22, 2013
This woman did more for Park County than anyone. She worked tirelessly to save the history for generations. No one can count the numerous hours of volunteer work. Let us continue in her memory to preserve our history
Ruth Vork
July 22, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of Doris's passing. I always enjoyed stopping by during my childhood and visiting with everyone. The rattlers outside were used by my father to imbed that sound in my head to keep me safe during our many outings. It has worked for me for over 50 years.
My prayers are with you all.
Helen Egeland
July 22, 2013
Doris has been a constant in my life ever since I was a child. She did so much, knew so much, shared so much... She will always be alive in all the dedicated work she left for local historians. She will be missed by many.
Doris Lambert Schnelle
July 22, 2013
So sorry to hear of your lose. I remember a lot of good times with you and your mother. Loved the time she put cow bells under our bed, because we had just gotten married and we stayed at the motel. At that time I was married to Bill McClain. She was a real fun lady to know.
DEBBIE,TED LECKNER
July 22, 2013
OH ! THE IMPRINT SHE HAS LEFT ON OUR LIVES, AND WHAT A LIFE SHE LIVED. SHE HAS LEFT QUITE A LEGACY. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU,PEACE BE WITH ALL OF YOUR FAMILY.
Joe & Lee Parriott
July 22, 2013
Carol & Alta,
What a great lady your mom was! And how comforting to know you will see her again one day. We're praying for you.
Love, Joe & Lee
George Clawson
July 22, 2013
Thank you for the fond memories of my childhood, rattle snakes and all!
Jean Parker
July 22, 2013
Altha & Verne.
We are so sorry about your Mother. She will be missed by a lot of people. Our prayers will be with you.
July 22, 2013
Doris touched a lot of lives. She will be missed, but will live on in the history of Park County.
Joan Bowles Hessen
Charlotte Miller
July 22, 2013
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother. She was a lady you never forget. Prayers for peace at this time for you.
Lindie Gibson
July 22, 2013
Carol and Alta, my thoughts are with you during this time.... Lindie
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