Dora May (Thompson) Warren chose March 19, 2016, to pass peacefully and with grace to the next life. In her final hours after a prayer, she made family and staff at Kalispell Regional Medical Center laugh and cry joking, “I don’t know how to do this. Do I just pump my arms in the air like Sanford and Son and say ‘Take me now, Lord!’” She enjoyed life and always found something to laugh about, even in her last days.

Dora was born on a homestead near Mobridge, South Dakota, May 21, 1926. A spring blizzard blew in, but Dora’s sister and three brothers were told to stay in the cold barn while her Aunt helped deliver her at home.

She remembers going to a one room school until fourth grade where church and social activities were held too. Her father played the violin for dances. When she was 10, the Great Depression and Midwest Dust Bowl took the farm. The family moved to Woodburn, Oregon, to start over, and she remembers the green landscape of Oregon’s Willamette Valley as a welcomed change. The valley was where she finished school, established lifelong friendships, married Charles Nelson Warren (now deceased) and raised five children, two girls and three boys. She worked many years as a housemother for the Vancouver School for the Deaf and Blind.

Her favorite memories were of high school years, USO dances in Portland during World War II Fourth of July picnics with extended family, tending a large garden, watching the rodeo and trips to the Oregon coast.

She resided at Immanuel Lutheran Community since July 2009. Dora enjoyed the elaborate celebrations put on by the Lutheran Recreational Department, watching the Seattle Mariners’ baseball games (win or lose), and visiting with residents and caring staff. Growing deafness didn’t stop her from staying in contact with family and friends around the country because she embraced email and Facebook. In fact, she was able to say good-bye the night before she died through a beautiful email to close relatives.

Her oldest child, MaryAnn Hayes, lives in Victorville, California, near a grandson John Hayes, his wife Dawn and three great-granddaughters, Mary, Ina and Allison. Granddaughter Ina Beth died in 1991.

Oldest son Gerald, from The Dalles, Oregon, died last August. Grandson Eric Warren, his wife Jen and great-grandsons Aidan and Harrison live in Missouri. Grandson Adam lives in Oregon.

Daughter Jane and son-in-law Dave Renfrow, granddaughter Amber, her husband Clark Davis, and great-grandchildren Ruby and Eddie all reside in Columbia Falls. Jane and Dave’s oldest daughter, Cami, lives in Salida, Colorado, with husband Trent Hickman and two of Dora’s great-grandchildren, Mazie Jane and August Holt.

Son Charlie and partner Jim Purdon live in Hood River, Oregon, near grandsons David and Samuel and daughter in-law Stephanie Eng.

Son Mark and his wife Dawn, granddaughter Amanda Moses and great-grandchildren Ryan and McKenzie, are all from Anchorage, Alaska. Grandson David Moses, his wife Harmony and great-grandchildren, Caleb and Amanda live near Dallas.

Three very special people have been like daughters to Dora. Niece Linda Carter from Salem, Oregon, was at her side when she died. Niece Penny Thompson and dear friend Jeannie and her husband Imants Krese probably made Dora laugh more than anyone with their mutual love of celebrations.

Dora’s humor and ability to find the bright side made her an optimist. Her curiosity kept her engaged to the end, and even death was embraced as a welcomed adventure.

A family ceremony for Dora is planned on the Oregon coast in June.