Doris J. Wynia, age 79, of South Haven, died Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at her home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Annandale with Rev. Todd Nelsen officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cemetery in Corinna Township. Visitation was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.
Memorials are preferred to a charity of your choice that you know Doris would love.
Doris Jean Peterson was born on April 21, 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Earl and Emily (Nordlund) Peterson. She grew up on a farm near South Haven and graduated from Annandale High School with the Class of 1963. She then attended Minneapolis School of Business. On Oct. 8, 1966, Doris married Larry Wynia at Zion United Methodist Church in South Haven, while he was on a three-day pass from the National Guard. They resided in Minneapolis and in various places across the country while they started their family before permanently moving to South Haven. Doris stayed at home to raise her three children. Later, she worked at Dayton’s in St. Cloud until she retired.
Doris’s life epitomized compassion, grace, and selflessness. Grounded by a deep faith, she dedicated her life to serving others. Her altruistic spirit was shown in every aspect of her life; she immersed herself in many community organizations, offering unwavering support and kindness to those in need. She was a former 40-year member of the Annandale United Methodist Church and most recently St. John’s Lutheran Church. Throughout her lifetime, Doris served on many boards and volunteered at many organizations including Pioneer Park, Annandale Improvement Club, Annandale Elementary School, Annandale Ski Club at Powder Ridge, Christian Women’s Club, Pioneer Club, Clearwater Watershed District, True Friends Auxiliary, Waconia MOPS, and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, just to name a few.
A true pillar of strength and support, Doris never hesitated to lend a helping hand to those in need. Whether it was accompanying someone to a doctor’s appointment or lending a listening ear and expressing a word of encouragement, she showed unwavering dedication to uplifting those around her.
A collector of beautiful things, Doris found joy in the simple pleasures of life – from the companionship of dogs to the melodies of birds she lovingly fed. She was an encyclopedia of people, each story etched in her heart, a testament to her genuine interest in the lives of those around her. She had an unparalleled talent for remembering the stories and details of everyone she encountered, demonstrating a deep sense of empathy and compassion.
A devoted family woman, Doris seldom missed a grandchild’s activity and could make everything taste better with an extra stick of butter, or two. She was lovingly known as “Grandma Do.” She was a fun grandma; full of silly stories like looking for giraffes in trees, the alligators in the tires at Bendix playground, pretend running out of gas, throwing pretend bananas out the windows, or sharing her own special made up language in full conversations with the kids, even in public. Grandma Do taught her grandkids to look beyond the everyday to what could be with a smile and imagination.
Grandma Do also enjoyed the Minnesota State Fair, music in the park in whatever community she was in that day, taking her granddogs for pup cup runs, and being “Grandma Do” to many others outside of her family. She lit up the room when she walked in with her energy and infectious laugh. She spread her own personal sunshine whenever she could.
Doris is survived by her husband, Larry of South Haven; children, Lisa (Randy) Knick of Big Lake, Chad (Debra) Wynia of Lindstrom, and Heather (Phillip) Neenan of Waconia; grandchildren, Sawyer (Kayden), Siera, Addison, and Brock Knick, Sydney and Natalie Wynia, and Finley and Evan Neenan; and many extended family members, friends, and grand dogs. She was preceded in death by her parents; half-brother, Wendell Frelander; half-sister, Joanne Catherman, and brother-in-law, Bruce Catherman.
Doris’s grandchildren will serve as casket bearers. Pat Nelsen will provide music for the service.
Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.
The obituary, guestbook, video tribute and funeral Webcast are online at www.dingmanfuneral.com.