DORIS IRELENE BARTKOSKI

1938 - 2023

DORIS IRELENE BARTKOSKI Doris Irelene Bartkoski, 84, of Lawrence, peacefully found her way home on Friday, March 24, 2023, with her daughters at her side. Services will be held at West Haven Baptist Church at 1000 West St, Tonganoxie, KS 66086 on Saturday April 1, 2023, at 3:00pm, visitation to follow immediately after. Doris was born September 15, 1938, in Lawrence, Kansas to Edward Tingle and Viola May Evans. Doris graduated from Lawrence High School in 1957. From June 2, 1956, until the early 1980's, Doris was married to Fred Behymer, with whom she had and raised four children, Cheryl Mason (Sam), Donna Bartkoski (David), Mark Behymer (Sherri), and Freddie L. Behymer (Vickie). Doris worked for many years at KP&L in Lawrence in the customer service department, from which she eventually retired. On August 21, 1987, Doris married the love of her life, Sylvester "Sam" Bartkoski. Doris and her children were welcomed into the family by Sam and his seven children, Anthony Bartkoski (Laurie), Diana Baker (Gary), Susan Talbot (Mark), David Bartkoski (Donna), Sharon Mathia (Robert), Vickie Petrie, and Linda Durkes (Tony). Doris and Sam spent their years together happily, often wintering in Texas and always devoting much of their time to their ever-growing family of much-loved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Doris was preceded in death by her parents and her loving stepfather, Ramey "Slim" Means, as well as her beloved Sam, her sisters Maxine and Esther, her brothers Nelson and Raymond, her stepdaughter Kathleen, her grandson, Clinton Beach, and her son in law, Tom Bryant, and many other family members and loved ones. She is survived by her and Sam's eleven children along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Besides being a devoted mother and grandmother, Doris had a number of hobbies and interests. Doris was a lover of dancing. Dancing was how she met Sam, and she continued to pursue this passion well into her 80s. She was a lifelong member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and loved to spend time cooking and sewing and exploring new hobbies. In her fifties, she taught herself how to play the piano. Doris was an avid KU basketball fan and strong supporter of the KC Chiefs. Doris could always be counted on for a smile and a positive outlook, and despite the overwhelming size of her family, she never missed important events or birthdays. Doris's favorite color was yellow, which is fitting, because she truly added sunshine to all of our lives. She will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to the Arthritis Foundation 1900 W 75th St #200 Prairie Village, KS 66208.