Doris L. Cripe, 84 of Eau Claire met her heavenly father on Friday, March 30, 2018. Hand in hand they entered heaven to join all who passed before her. She was finally reunited with her beloved son Tom who she waited so many years to see again.
Doris was born on August 27, 1933 to Theodore and Journ (Engevold) Nelson in Osseo, Wisconsin. In her younger years she loved riding horse, going to the movies and collecting signatures from movie stars. She was very proud of all autographed pictures she collected. She graduated High School in 1951.
Doris met her future husband, Dave Cripe, while working at a root beer stand in Whitehall, Wisconsin. They married on November 27, 1953 in Pasadena California. She retired in 1995 from Presto Industries and later volunteered at Bethesda Thrift shop. Summers were spent canning vegetables and making her famous dill pickles. No family gathering was ever complete without her popular baked beans. Doris was also an avid fan of Days of Our Lives throughout her entire life.
Doris is survived by her daughters, Peggy (Don) Olsen of Eau Claire, Kathy (Steve) Stewart of Chippewa Falls, Diane (Woody) Swiontek of Cushing, WI, and Tressa (Charlie) Loew of Eau Claire; grandchildren, Angie, Sean, Tricia, Cory, Benjamin, Samantha, Theodore, Bradley, and Parker; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Bob Nelson of Eau Claire; and many nieces and nephews.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, husband, David Cripe; son, Tom Cripe; twin brother, Don Nelson; brother, Harlan Nelson; and sisters, Joyce Gilbert and Jan Jepperson.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 11:00 am at Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Sullivan officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 3, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Smith Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday. Burial will follow the service at Rest Haven Cemetery. Friends and family may leave online condolences at www.smithfuneralec.com.