Doris Paukner

Dates

Obituary

Doris Paukner, 86, passed away on November 28, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Phoenix, AZ. A Celebration of Life graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell. Doris purposefully chose a graveside service to experience God’s beautiful creation – feel a breeze, hear birds sing, enjoy nature, feel serenity and closeness to God, and sense the magic of His love.

Doris Elaine Paukner (Strand) was born in rural Mitchell, SD on January 11, 1937, to Velmer and Emma Strand, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother Dean Strand (Mitchell, SD); son David Paukner (Wanda); daughter Dawn Barr; her grandchildren: Lisa Paukner, Michael Paukner (Magan), Matthew Barr, and Emily Day (Brett); and four great-grandchildren.

Doris had a strong faith in God and was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD. She attended grades 1-8 at the French School in rural Mitchell. She finished her last two years of high school and graduated from Augustana Academy in Canton, SD. She then furthered her education and pursuit of ministry at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN. This is where she met and married David Paukner in 1956 (divorced 1986). They lived in Duluth, MN until 1965, and had their children Dawn and David. The family moved to Viriginia, MN and she lived there until 1988. She then moved to Arizona for the remainder of her life.

Doris was the proud owner of Doris’s Shoe Spot in Virginia, MN and opened two more stores in Eveleth, MN and Hibbing, MN. Once she sold her stores, she headed south to sunny Arizona to enjoy her retirement near her daughter, Dawn, and her parents who were winter “snowbirds”.

Doris’ life was one of faith and service. She devoted her life to her family, church, and God. She was a long-time member of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ, where she volunteered her time organizing the Church’s food bank and delivering meals to the elderly and home bound. She was active in her community playing cards, engaging in book clubs, and visiting neighbors on her daily 3-mile walk.

Her favorite role in life was that of mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was very proud of her relationships with her grandchildren, traveling to Texas and to California to continue to be involved in their lives.

Doris was kind and sassy. She was generous and giving. She was curious and smart. She always brought a smile to everyone’s face, and she never said an unkind word. She stayed up to date on current events, politics and popular culture, knowledge which served her well during her daily viewing of Jeopardy, and her weekly endeavor of completing the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle. She also enjoyed the vibrant Phoenix culinary scene, trying hot new restaurants with her daughter, grandchildren, as well as other friends and family.

Her wisdom, sense-of-humor, generosity, and love was a blessing in the lives of all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

A few God-given directions of Doris’ life were: Sunrise/Sunset, Living on the South Dakota farm; Lake Superior in Duluth, MN; the mountains of Arizona.

Dorris lived her life eternally thankful for promise of God, love and family, and support of friends.

Doris’s life mantra “Let go – let God be God!”… true words of wisdom.

Have thy own way, Lord.

Have thy own way.

Thou art the potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still. Amen.

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