Doris Waldoch

1937 - 2026

Doris B. Waldoch, 88, of Flint, MI and Little Falls, MN, passed away on March 2, 2026, at her grandson's house. She was surrounded by love and Murphy the puppy who did not leave her side the last three days.

Doris was born on April 30, 1937, in Flint, MI, to Ira and Winnie (Sours) McClain. She grew up in Flint and graduated from Mandeville High School. She was the youngest of five children, tucked into a two-bedroom house without modern plumbing. Her siblings were older, so she eventually claimed a room of her own. The home having only two bedrooms was one of many details she later shared with her great grandchildren, who listened in disbelief at how different life once was.

On July 23, 1955, she married Richard Waldoch at Holy Redeemer Church in Flint. Together they built a life side by side, raising their three children, John, Joanne, and Jackie. Memories were made at their cabin, riding snow machines.

Doris worked hard through the years, including time with McLaren Hospital and Consumers Power in Michigan. After Richard's retirement, they moved to Minnesota to be closer to Richard's family and eventually care for his parents. Doris kept working there too, including at Hardware Hank in Long Prairie.

In retirement at their first Minnesota home, Doris poured her energy into flower and vegetable gardens while she and Richard cared for a large property that kept them busy and proud. Doris loved her flowers. Her children would get her flowers for special occasions, including a hanging basket for Mother's Day and an amaryllis each Christmas.

After her move to Minnesota, Doris earned a brand-new title that quickly became her favorite. Granny.

Doris became a grandma for the first time and found a joy that only grew deeper as the family did. As Doris and Richard gained grandchildren, they made many road trips back and forth between Michigan and Minnesota. They loved to travel. They loved a good road trip. Doris was especially fond of mountain views.

After Richard's death, Doris continued to travel, with the annual family camping trip becoming a treasured highlight. She loved the invaluable time when her whole family was together. It was a full week of kids, grandkids, and great grandkids gathered in different spots across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. There were card games that ran long, meals enjoyed together, and the happy chaos of little ones swimming, playing, and being loved on by Granny. Nights ended by the fire, especially the ones her son John would build, the kind of big, glowing campfires that pulled everyone close. Even when Doris could not be there in person, John would send her pictures of those fires so she could enjoy them from the comfort of her apartment.

Those camping trips meant the world to Doris. A lawn chair. Card games in the background. Family on each side of her. Doris soaking in time with her great grandchildren, then insisting on hugs from every child who walked by. She had a talent for sneaking in a kiss on the cheek before letting them go.

Whether camping or gathered at a house, if the family was together, odds were good you would find a deck of cards on the table.

Doris was an avid card player, and she passed that love down like an heirloom. She enjoyed 500, Oh Darn, Euchre, Rack-O, 5 Crowns, Joker Rummy, and poker. When everyone gathered, the cards came out and time disappeared. Just three days before she passed, Granny was sitting at the table, surrounded by family, playing cards. It is a memory that will forever bring comfort and smiles to those who loved her.

In between the big moments, Doris had her quiet joys too. You could often find her working through Star Tribune crossword puzzles, doing cross stitch, or watching the birds outside her window. Doris was fiercely protective of her bird feeders. She stood watch from her deck with a BB gun in hand, a sharp-eyed and steady shot who made it very clear the red squirrels did not stand a chance.

Later in life, Doris moved to Talamore Senior Living to be near her grandson and granddaughter-in-law, and she cherished the extra time with her great grandchildren. Doris was also very clear about one important detail. It was senior living, not assisted living. She wanted everyone to know that. She valued her independence and held onto it with a little stubborn pride that always made the family smile.

After moving to St. Cloud, she enjoyed frequent visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. There were games of 5 Crowns, impromptu gymnastics shows, Perkins breakfast, car chats and Tuesday night grocery shopping trips, which always included buying Snickers ice cream bars to keep her freezer well stocked for any kids who stopped by.

Doris was stubborn, independent, and thoughtful. She cared fiercely for her family. She loved every hug or snuggle she could get from the children in her life. She was a remarkable woman who made a lasting impact on those who loved her.

Because Doris loved the camping tradition so deeply, it feels right that at the upcoming annual camping trip in August, her family plans to hold her memorial and burial. In the immediate time, the family invites you to a visitation at Emblom Brenny Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN, on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Richard John (Karen Benore) Waldoch of Grand Blanc, MI, Joanne Marie (Dennis Sobiech) Waldoch of Little Falls, MN, Jacquelyn Carol (Michael) Owens of Holly, MI; five grandchildren, Richard Jeffrey (Kayla) Waldoch, Nicole (Evan) Young, Rachel Owens, Randi (Kyle) Flynn and Michelle Waldoch; five great-grandchildren, Jaxson and Evelyn Waldoch, Griffin and Anna Young, and Kaiser Weiss.

She was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings, Kenneth (Ruth) McClain, Lyle (Nadine) McClain, Ross (Billie Jean) McClain and Carol (Bob) Singler.