DURBEN, Doris

Doris Durben long time Spokane resident succumbed to cancer April 26, 2011. She was born on March 10, 1931 to Hilda and Joseph Durben in Stacyville, Iowa. She was raised in a loving family with wonderful sisters very similar to the book "Little Women" written in 1868 by Louisa May Alcott. Dorie like Jo, was the second eldest of four girls. Dorie is survived by her beloved sisters Phyllis Buckingham, Stacyville, Iowa (husband Bob deceased,) Shirley Lang and husband Jack, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Mary Vail (husband Bill deceased,) her darling aunts Loretta Kregbach and Clara King, numerous nieces and nephews and her very best friend of 50 years Martha Lee Smith.
Dorie graduated from Visiation High School where she was an excellent student. Sister Aqualena helped Dorie in obtaining a scholarship to Bryer Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. When money ran low Dorie "wound wieners" at Hormel until she had enough money to finish college with a degree in nursing.
Upon graduation, she joined the Air Force because she wanted to "see the world" and was sent as far as Fairchild AFB in Spokane. Dorie decided on the Air Force because she felt of all the armed forces uniforms she "looked best" in that of the Air Force. Three years at Fairchild was the extent of her exotic tour of duty.
She taught nursing at Deaconess. After attending a 30 year retirement for a nurse "that didn't even get a gold watch" she went into teaching and taught 5th and 6th grade until she eventually retired from School District 81.
Dorie loved cats and dogs, but wasn't too crazy about birds. It might have something to do with that 1963 suspense horror film by Alfred Hitchcock that she took her nieces and nephews to see.
She enjoyed cards, bowling, skiing and camping throughout her life. She was an avid golfer and a member of the Wandermere 9 Hole Club. And...she never could hit those "darn woods!"
The Catholic Church was part of Dorie's life since she was a little girl. She became a Eucharistic minister in 1991 and proudly served for many years.
There are not many people that have been receiving and reading Time magazine for fifty years but Dorie was one. She read Time and The New Yorker from cover to cover along with Readers Digest since her college days.
Doris Durben was a brilliant person with an unbelievable sense of humor and an extensive vocabulary. Dr. Laugen and Dr. Fairbanks her wonderful oncologists would marvel at her knowledge of anatomy and the latest medical procedures.
Dorie touched all who knew her. Family and friends would like to especially thank everyone at The Gardens Nursing Home on University that so lovingly cared for her as well as Dr. Robert H. Laugen and Dr. Robert K. Fairbanks plus their compassionate staff at Cancer Care Northwest.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 1:00PM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 501 North Walnut Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. In lieu of flowers please make any contributions to Cancer Care Northwest Foundation 605 E. Holland Suite 100 Spokane WA 99218 or The Spokane Humane Society 6607 N. Havana St. Spokane WA 99217 in the name of Doris.

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Published by Spokesman-Review from May 1 to May 2, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Doris Durben

5 Entries

6th Grade at Loma Vista Elementary in Spokane, WA

Carrie Fitzpatrick

November 10, 2011

She was one of the most profound mentors of my life. Thank you Doris.

May 8, 2011

The Washington State Veterans Cemetery extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Doris Durben for your loss, to honor her service to our country and our patriotic hero.

LaDonna Schuster

May 6, 2011

I see your smile, hear your wit. You. I will remember the softball and basketbal games, the road trip to and from the Middle Fork of the Salmon river, and the week on the river. Sorry I didn't get to chase that little white ball around the golf course. What a friend Jesus now has.

Tara Sligar

May 5, 2011

Doris was one of the funniest, kindest ladies I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She touched many lives here and we all miss seeing her at The Gardens. Our hearts and sympathy go out to Martha.

Karen Quam

May 1, 2011

I was so sorry to hear of Doris' death. She was not only my favorite teacher (6th grade) but as I grew older she was also a good friend. I have wonderful memories of meeting for coffee or breakfast and talking for what seemed like hours, but it was never long enough. I'll remember her for her kind heart, her wonderful sense of humor, our shared love of dogs, and the stories she shared of growing up in Iowa and of her family. I will treasure her always.

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