Doris E. Splettstoeszer

1926 - 2025

Doris Emma Splettstoeszer, age 98, of Watertown, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at the Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.

Funeral Service held on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter Lutheran Church (3030 Navajo Ave.) in Watertown. Visitation from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service on Friday at church. Interment Lewis Cemetery in Maple Plain.

Doris was the daughter of Carl and Martha (Wagner) Taylor. She was baptized and later confirmed at Lyndale Lutheran Church in Lyndale. On November 6, 1945, Doris was united in marriage to Wallace Splettstoeszer at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Mound with Rev. Martin Pape as officiant.

Doris was born on the family farm in Minnetrista Township (Lyndale), Minnesota, the cherished daughter of Carl and Martha Taylor. From her earliest days of helping her dad with the milk route, she learned the value of hard work, resilience, and self-reliance. When her mother suffered a severe stroke, Doris and her sister Adeline became her caregivers-guiding her through rehabilitation and showing extraordinary compassion even as young girls.

In 1945, Doris married the love of her life at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Mound, Minnesota. Together they farmed, raised a family, and weathered trials with unwavering determination. When Wally fell ill with tuberculosis, Doris shouldered the responsibilities of home and farm: milking cows before and after her day's work at Tonka Toys, then returning at night to cook, clean, and care for Shirley. It took two years to pay off medical bills, but she never wavered in her independence or her love.

Doris built a remarkable 35-year career at Tonka, rising to supervise the final assembly department. Even after retirement at 57, the company asked her to return each year to craft toy samples for the national Toy Fair. Generations of children found joy in the trucks, cars, and playsets she helped bring to life.

Adventure called to Doris and Wally long before retirement. They built a family cabin on Lower Mission Lake near Brainerd and spent many weekend getaways. Mark and Kristi learned to cast their first fishing lines. Over the years, they bought many campers, traveled many places and spent winters in Texas.

A devoted cook and baker, Doris delighted everyone with her legendary apple bars and beautifully decorated cakes. She never missed an opportunity to fry up hamburgers with onions and chips for her husband's favorite meal-and she did it all with a smile and impeccable timing.

Faith and fellowship were central to her life. A longtime member of St. Peter Lutheran Church-and before that, Mt. Olive-Doris served in mission society and ladies' guild, hosted salad luncheons, and prepared countless funeral lunches. In her later years, she stayed active in walking clubs, senior card groups, and camping outings, demonstrating the same precision and pride whether backing her trailer into a tight spot or volunteering at a spring Maifest.

Above all, Doris treasured her family. She was a devoted daughter, a loving wife, a nurturing mother, and a doting grandmother and great-grandmother. She shared stories of the past, passed down traditions, and created new memories that will live on in all who knew her.

We will miss her laughter, her wisdom, and her steadfast spirit. May we honor her legacy by embracing each day with the same courage, kindness, and independence she showed us all.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Wally; parents Carl and Martha Taylor; brother Earl Taylor; sisters Bernice Pawelk, Adeline Pawelk; father-in-law and mother-in-law Clarence and Lydia Splettstoeszer; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Vernon Splettstoeszer, Bernice and Marvis Leistiko, Edgar and Alice Lindner, Gladys Taylor, Delores and Duane Skochenski, Clarence and Nancy Splettstoeszer, Willard Pawelk, Glennard Pawelk.

Doris is survived by her loving family: daughter and son-in-law Shirley and Larry Segner; grandchildren Mark Segner and Lindsay Beyer, Kristi and Erik Olson; great-grandchildren Blake and Evan Olson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Casket Bearers are Danny Juncewski, Karla Dostal, Allan Ische, Erik Olson, Duane Dostal and Mark Segner.

Honorary Casket Bearers are her great-grandchildren, Blake and Evan Olson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Peter's Lutheran Church or Christ Community Lutheran School in Watertown.

Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia, 952-442-2121, www.johnsonfh.com.