Doris Marian Elliott was born May 22, 1919 at Frederick, South Dakota to George and Mary Elliott. She graduated from Barnard Consolidated High School at Barnard in 1937. Doris received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Northern State University at Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1941. She taught in the High School in Howard, South Dakota for two years and then spent a year in California doing office work at a manufacturing plant in Sunnyvale. On July 12, 1944 she married John H. Sherburne at Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Texas. She then worked in offices or had teaching positions as they moved to various military posts during John's time in the Army Air Corps during World War 11. In 1946, after John’s honorary discharge, they moved to Belvidere, South Dakota where Doris taught in the Belvidere High School. After a couple years there they then made the decision to move to the family farm where they lived until 1982 when she and John retired to Kadoka. She taught several years at the Wanblee Public School and Wanblee Day Schools. She and John had a very special, loving marriage for 50 years. Doris was a member of the Wanblee Ladies Aid, served on the County Library Board for many years and was a 4-H leader.. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Order of the Eastern Star where she served as a Post Worthy Matron. She also belonged to the Tri County Senior Citizens organization. She organized community fund raising card parties for the American Heart Association for many years. Doris loved to garden and always had the best vegetables and beautiful flowers. She enjoyed playing cards, reading, sewing, quilting, baking and crocheting. Each of her children and grandchildren received one of her beautiful crocheted afghans. Doris always had many wonderful Scottish/Irish sayings which delighted her grandchildren. She was a marvelous cook and enjoyed collecting and reading cookbooks. There was always room for 1 more around her table and always cookies in the cookie jar.
Doris is survived by four sons: Richard John (Bonnita) Sherburne of Omaha, Nebraska, Andrew George (Lana) Sherburne of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Bruce Lee (Sally) Sherburne of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and James Elliott (Marla) Sherburne of Kirksville, Missouri; 2 daughters: Sandra Kay (Dave) Olsen of Gillette, Wyoming and Susan Mary (Earland) Thompson of Riverton, Wyoming, 13 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 1 sister Jean Rahja of Aberdeen, South Dakota; 2 sisters in-law: Mabel Clark of Armour, South Dakota and Isabelle Jacobson of Pierre, South Dakota, and many nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, John, 1 brother and sister in law, William and Betty Elliott, 1 sister, Evelyn Elliott, 1 brother-in-law, Gilbert Rahja, 2 nephews, William Elliott Jr., and Todd VanDerWerff.
Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2012 at Walker Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, at the First Presbyterian Church in Gillette with Pastor Joel Wright officiating. Interment followed at 2:00 p.m. in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, S.D.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested in Doris’ name. Memorial and condolences can be sent in her name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th St. Gillette, Wyoming 82716.