Obituary of Doris H. Vance

Doris H. Vance (96) former longtime St. Maries, ID resident, died peacefully in her sleep on February 28, 2014 at her daughter's home in Spokane Valley, WA. Doris was born on May 26, 1917 to Frank and Mary (Woollums)Gray at Ellston, Iowa. She grew up on a farm where she was the oldest of three sisters. Doris graduated from Ellston High School, and moved to Mt. Ayr, Iowa, where she worked as a waitress. She loved that job and thought she hit pay dirt when she got a 5 cent tip for good service. She met Chet Vance while working at the café. They were married December 16, 1938 and made their home in Wenatchee, WA. They later moved and built their home at Pilot Rock, OR, where their daughter Donna Lee was born. They stayed there until about 1950, when Doris and Chet had the opportunity to buy into a sawmill between Fernwood and Clarkia, ID. They partnered with Willard Anderson and it became Anderson-Vance Lumber Co. Doris and Tootie Anderson (Willard's wife) worked in the office at the mill site. The mill operated about 9 months of the year, the other 3 months, Doris, Chet & Donna lived in a small house in St. Maries on 2nd Street. In 1958, they built their home about two miles out of St. Maries and lived there until a few years after Chet passed away in 1987. Doris then moved into a mobile home on 8th Street near the hospital. Doris loved God, her church, family, friends, and life in general. Besides playing cards, golfing was her "thing" for man many years, and she played until she was 92 years old. She had so many good and gracious friends.. they were more like family to her than friends. Besides golfing, she loved playing cards. When you went to Doris', there was a 75% chance of being part of a card game before leaving. Doris loved to travel, besides the many places she within the U.S., she was also able to visit the Bahamas, Hawaii, China, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. Arizona was Doris's second home since 1989. She had the best of two worlds. Six months at Casa Grande, AZ and six months in St. Maries. She had multiple funny experiences in the airports and planes, getting back home to St. Maries accompanied by her niece Sharon (Vance) Shoeberg whom she loved. Doris moved to Spokane, WA in 2013 to be with her daughter and husband, Donna and Jim Eslick (whom passed away in March of last year) She was able to enjoy her 5 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren all of whom survive her. Doris is also survived by her daughter Donna Eslick of Spokane Valley, WA and Sister Norma Michael and husband Wallace of Pendleton, OR. She was preceded in death by sister Pauline Wood and grandson Vance Eslick. A celebration of her life will be Friday, March 7, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Comm. Presbyterian Church with Pastor Nancy Goodwin officiating. A gathering of family and friends will follow services at the St. Maries Elks Lodge. Visit her online memorial and sign her guest book at www.hodgefuneralhome.com The family suggests memorials to can be made to the Presbyterian Church 1100 College Ave. St. Maries ID 83861 Read Doris Vance's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.