Doris "Kowal" Lucas

Doris (Kowal) Lucas, age 84, passed away peacefully with her son by her side on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at her residence in Chaska, MN.

Doris Irene Kowal was born August 22, 1940, in Browerville, Minnesota, the only daughter and youngest of five children to Leo and Ludvina (Motzko) Kowal. She grew up on the family farm where she loved to be by her dad's side no matter what he was doing, by her mom's side baking everything from fresh bread to coffee cake, hanging with her brothers and with her favorite dog, Rusty. In August of 1957, Doris married her high school sweetheart, Dennis Lucas, and they built a family of six kids during their 34-year marriage. The young family moved around during the early years and lived in Minneapolis, MN, Rochester, MN and Buffalo, NY. In 1965, with Doris' desire to be close to family in Minnesota, they moved to Redwood Falls, MN, where her children were allowed to grow up and stay in one place.

Dennis and Doris were blessed with six children: Dennis II, David, Donald, Douglas, Diane and Debra.

With all but one kid grown and gone, Doris commuted daily and began her college education in psychology, sociology and anthropology, receiving her Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude, from Southwest State University in Marshall, MN. As a non-traditional student, having graduated with high honors, Doris was accepted into the Master of Science program in psychology at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Doris would then relocate back to Minnesota where she enjoyed a long career as a social worker focused on the Elderly and Elderly Protection cases in McLeod and Chippewa Counties. After retiring at age 65, Doris relocated one final time to Chaska, MN, to be close to her daughter Debra and her family. While in Chaska, Doris enjoyed multiple activities at the Chaska Community Center – Active Older Adults, especially the aquatics aerobic group, the Water Lillies, and the many friendships she developed within this group.

Doris was a devoted catholic, even during her final days, she prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ. She was an amazing mother who was loving, caring, and devoted; always putting her children first. Doris was a giving and gifted soul; artistic and crafty with a love for scrapbooking, creating greeting cards and was an avid Minnesota Viking fan cheering on the Purple and Gold every week for 51 years. She also enjoyed listening to music, especially Elvis and Hawaiian song, and loved traveling. She traveled to various countries: Nassau, Puerto Vallarta, Grand Bahamas, Caracas Venezuela-South America, Rome, Jamica, Tahiti, and Hawaii. She was always "game" to try new things as she did parachute riding and scuba diving in her 20s during her early travels. She especially enjoyed time by the coast, Hawaii or Duluth, taking in the sounds of crashing waves whenever she could manage it. Most recently, she found appreciation in God's natural beauty as expressed through bird watching and the endless floral beauty found in the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Doris will be sorely missed by her children, David Lucas, Don (Sandy) Lucas, Doug (Sandy) Lucas, Diane (Gaylen) Mattison, Debra (Ronald) Jacobsen and daughter-in-law, Sam (Gary) Straumann as well as her (13) grandchildren: Angie (Mike) Schriefels Wassenaar, Jereme (Heather Knutson) Lucas, Travis Lucas, Nick Lucas, Nathaniel (Anna) Lucas, Matt (Robyn) Lucas, Chris Lucas, Tiana (Kelly) Motley, Katrina Lucas, Megan (Ben) Olsem, Gavin (Morganne) Mattison, Colin Jacobsen and Jay Jacobsen. In addition to her grandchildren, she was blessed with 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Ludvina Kowal, one son, Dennis Lucas II and her four brothers Laurel, Vern, John and Dennis Kowal.

Family and friends may gather on Friday, September 12, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 at the church with Father Joe Herzing presiding. Burial will be in Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, and a lunch will be served for all of those who can attend immediately following the burial.

Doris was compassionate about the youth homeless crisis and frequently helped with donations locally for this cause. In lieu of flowers, Doris would be honored if you donated to a charity of your choice in Doris's name.