Doris died on May 18, 2023 at the age of 111 having lived a life that brought joy to all those around her. She was born in Turlock on November 6, 1911 to Gunnard and Anna Wickstrom. The family lived on a small farm on Alpha Rd. Her father was growing many kinds of fruit trees, but his big cash crop was cantaloupe when Turlock was known as “The Melon Capitol of the World”. When Doris was in her teens they moved to the beautiful Craftsman home her father built on Berkeley Ave. She attended Lowell School, Hawthorne School and graduated from Turlock High School in 1929. Having a care givers heart and knowing she needed to pick a career she entered Emanuel Nursing School in Turlock. Part of this hospital training was at two hospitals in San Francisco.
After graduation she worked with Dr. Marion Collins as his personal nurse for 31 years. As well as working in his office and at Lillian Collins Hospital, she accompanied him on emergencies, baby deliveries and in the operating room. Besides this full time job, she was always “on call” to anyone in the family if there was an emergency, illness or a cut finger that needed attention.
In 1936 Doris married Marty Wedin. Both families were of Scandinavian heritage so they continued many of the Swedish/Norwegian traditions. Because they did not have children of their own, they enjoyed their role as ” second parents” to Doris’ sister’s four children. She was an active member of Beulah Covenant Church; and then a charter member of Monte Vista Chapel. Both Doris and Marty were also active in civic groups.
After Marty died Doris married Don Johnson in 1987. They took several road trips around the country and took a trip to Sweden. They enjoyed life together for 15 years.
In 2008 Doris was honored for being the oldest native born Turlocker still residing in Turlock.
Doris was a Christian woman and her love for Jesus was evident each day in the way she lived her daily life.
Doris is survived by her nieces and nephews: Berma Lynn Blomquist (Jim), Alan Davenport (Sharon), Steve Davenport (Julia), and Marna Klaproth (Ron); great nieces and nephews Susan, Sonja, Tammy, Erik, Jason, Lars, Anna, Leah and Briana. She is also survived by her stepson, Jeremy Johnson (Lois) and their children Erik and Sonja. Doris was preceded in death by both husbands Marty Wedin and Don Johnson; her parents Gunnard and Anna Wickstrom; sister Betty Ann Davenport and great nephew Tyler Klaproth.
Graveside service will be held at Turlock Memorial Park on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 11:00a.m. Memorial service will be at Covenant Living-Berg Hall in Turlock also on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 2:00p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to Benevolent Care Fund/Covenant Living, 2125 N. Olive Ave. Turlock 95382.
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