Obituary: Van Doren, Dennis Harold
Born in Chewelah, Washington to John and Elizabeth Van Doren, number 8 in a family of 9.
Denny grew up in Chewelah and Valley, attending St. Mary School from 1st through the 9th grade; and then Valley High School from 10th to 12th grade, graduated at Valley High School with the Class of 1956.
He especially enjoyed playing football where he was the quarterback.
He had the leading role of “Wilbur Maxwell” in the play “Wilbur Saw It First”.
He was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve/Washington Army National Guard, and St. Mary’s Church in Chewelah and at the Holy Ghost Church in Valley, Washington.
His family moved from Chewelah to a farm in Valley, Washington which was referred to as the “Family Farm”.
Denny married Madeline Proctor in 1959 (Madeline graduated in 1957 in Valley).
Denny earned an Electrical/Electronic degree from Western State College of Engineering in Inglewood, California while working for Douglas Aircraft and Hughes Aircraft.
He was eager to return to the Northwest, working for Boeing for several years and then Monaco Enterprise Company in Spokane Valley, retiring after 27 years of employment.
The past 22 years he and Madeline have resided at Deer Lake.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Madeline; daughters, Kim Van Doren, Denise Ketron and Angela Van Doren; grandchildren, Ashley Taylor, Mitchell Ketron, Clayton Ketron and Taylor Van Doren; great-grandchildren, Ryley Jurado, Anabelle “Bella” Taylor and Nikolas “Niki” Taylor.
One surviving sister, Marcie Kretson in Kennewick, Washington and numerous nieces and nephews.
Denny was an avid reader, puzzle solver and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, especially hunting and fishing.
He was currently a member of the St. Mary Presentation Church in Deer Park.
Visitation will be at Lauer Funeral Home in Deer Park on Friday, November 22nd from 1:00 4:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass honoring Mr. Van Doren will be on Saturday, November 23rd, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. in Deer Park at St. Mary Presentation Catholic Church located at East 602- 6th Avenue with Rev.
Father Albert Grasher, Jr., celebrant.
Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at Jump off Joe Cemetery in Valley, Washington.
In lieu of flowers please contribute to the charity of your choice.
LAUER FUNERAL HOME in Deer Park, Washington