Doris Wilson
April 14, 1921 - April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 11:00 AM PDT
Ontario
Doris Wilson, 88, formerly of Ontario and Grangeville, Idaho, died Friday, April 24, 2009, at her residence in Nyssa Gardens, Nyssa.
Doris was born April 14, 1921. She was the third child of five children born to Fred and Blanche Hite.
She was united in marriage to Lem Wilson Jr., Sept. 5, 1939, in Weiser.
Shortly after their marriage, Doris lived in a sheep camp with her husband, Lem, as he herded sheep. A year later, they acquired an ice cream and sandwich shop, which they operated for two years. Doris and her husband then rented farms, row cropped and custom farmed potato and sugar beet digging. In 1951, Doris and Lem moved to a large sheep ranch on the Oregon side of the Snake River, located below Hells Canyon.
Three boys were born to Doris and Lem, Ray, Gary and Gerald Mickey. Doris and Lem also maintained a residence in Grangeville, Idaho, as the children became school age.
Doris was involved in Cub Scouts as a den mother, involved in 4H and with the Rock Hound Club. When her grandchildren were in grade school, she taught art in 4H as she was a very accomplished artist.
Their Snake River ranch was condemned in 1973 by the U.S. Forest Service Department to form the Hells Canyon Recreational Area. Doris never did like the Forest Service after they took her home.
In 2002, at the age of 80 years, she wrote a book of her life in Hells Canyon. The book was titled “Life in Hells Canyon,” a private view. The book was very well received.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Blanche Hite; husband, Lem; son, Gary; granddaughter, Rachel; brothers, Carl, Walt and Loren; and sister, Iris.
Survivors include sons, Ray and Mick Wilson; four grandchildren and five great- grandchildren; sister-in-law, Helen Hite; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. Doris lived a very interesting and full life.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lance Armstrong Cancer Foundation.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, 2009, at the Prairie View Cemetery in Grangeville, Idaho.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.blackmerfuneralhome.com.
