Doris Ann Wersinger

Doris Wersinger, age 81, of Starbuck, MN, and formerly Cyrus, died Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck. A Celebration of Life gathering for Doris will be held on Friday, April 4th, at Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood, with visitation starting at Noon and a memorial service, led by Rev. Micah Klemme, to begin at 1:00 P.M. Inurnment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Glenwood. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.
Doris Ann Stroschein was born July 1, 1943 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, to parents Herbert Arnold and Elsie Ella Amanda (Boeder) Stroschein. She and her five siblings were raised on the family farm in Elizabeth Twp, where they received their early education in a one-room schoolhouse. Doris was baptized and confirmed at First United Church of Christ in Fergus Falls. She raised chickens, turkeys, and garden vegetables which she entered in the Otter Tail County Fair as part of her 4-H projects. Her siblings fondly remember her long legs and fast feet running through farm fields and climbing trees in the hills of the farmstead. Doris graduated from Roosevelt Park High School in Fergus Falls in 1962. Her first job was cleaning houses in Fergus Falls.
In her twenties, Doris moved to the Twin Cities where she found work as a seamstress. There, through a computer dating service, she met the love of her life, Joseph T. Wersinger. The two were married on September 8, 1973 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood, MN. Doris and Joe first made their home in Morris before settling in Cyrus, where they raised their family. They enjoyed 39 of marriage before Joe passed away in 2012. Two years later, Doris moved to Holly Ridge Assisted Living in Starbuck, where she made many friends and looked forward to celebrating Heritage Days every year. In 2023, with worsening health and the need for assistance with her daily care, Doris moved to Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck.
Doris loved being a stay-at-home mother to her children. Teaching life lessons, values, and faith in everyday moments. After her children were grown, she briefly worked as a paraprofessional at Cyrus MST Elementary School. She was an avid dog lover and delighted in caring for her pet dachshunds.
Doris loved to garden, even continuing to raise fresh vegetables after becoming a resident at the nursing home. Years before, at their home in Cyrus, Doris and Joe raised an expansive vegetable garden, canning and freezing produce for family meals. Doris also excelled at creating hundreds of knitted, crocheted, and embroidered items. Her tireless fingers and her big heart always worked together to create beautiful towels, doll clothes, and intricate Christmas ornaments for family and friends. One of her favorite crocheted pieces is an all-white, detailed, 4' x 4' wall hanging of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, which she had on display in the chapel at Minnewaska Lutheran Home. Doris lived her Christian faith, attending many Bible study groups through the years. She had a lifelong love of reading and libraries, especially the Bookmobile, and always took a book along wherever she went, a habit she instilled in her daughter.
Doris is survived by her son Joseph Wersinger IV of Morris, and her daughter Mary (Joel) Habiger of Waite Park; her siblings Marilyn (Donovan) Folden, LaVonne Johansen, Arnold (Karol) Stroschein, and Joyce (Mitch) Duenow; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Joe; her parents, Herbert and Elsie Stroschein; her sister, Betty Peterson; and her brothers-in-law, David Peterson, Gary Johansen and Juan Sanchez.
Her last wish in life was to be in the arms of her Savior Jesus. Though her physical body endured many final challenges, her mind and soul amazed everyone whose lives she has touched over the years.
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.
Funeral Service