Doris Ann (Rowe) Ofstad

GURNEY, Wis. - Doris Ann (Rowe) Ofstad, 85, of Gurney, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Doris was born Oct. 6, 1935, in Gurney, to Lester and Lucille (Lee) Rowe. She was one of seven children and attended school in Gurney and in Saxon.

On Dec. 13, 1952, Doris married the love of her life, Robert Ofstad, of Superior. They made their home in Gurney with their eight children and were married for 66 years before Robert's passing in January 2019.

Doris headed the Gurney General Store until 1976 in conjunction with being the U.S. Postmaster in Gurney from 1961 until her retirement in 1990. She also worked at Arts Unlimited for many years after. Doris worked throughout her life at the Bar-Hoffner farm, and her family farm - Rowe's Potato Farm - picking potatoes. She was in 4-H throughout her youth, and was a leader for years, passing on her knowledge to area children.

She was an avid gardener and sewer, and loved to bake and cook for her large family. Doris was Homemaker of the Year at the Iron County Fair numerous times, and loved to display her crafts and bakery. Over her life she made thousands of dozens of cookies that she would sell at holidays or for special events with the help of her two daughters and various grandchildren. Doris also made clothing for many area people, including her signature striped T-shirts through "Doris Ann Designs."

Doris loved games like Yahtzee, Rummy, Smear, Chinese Checkers and Bingo. She liked to gamble and had no problem winning money from her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, alike. She loved visits to the casino and when it was time to go home, she would slide over $10 to her ride so they could "play a little bit longer." You usually won on her $10, too - she was quite lucky.

Country music was always on the radio and she loved going to Hodag with her sister, Janice "Tootie," and brother-in-law, Darrell Rice, as well as other family members. During baseball season, the radio would be on to listen faithfully to Bob Uecker as she cheered on her beloved Milwaukee Brewers. She never missed an episode of Wheel of Fortune if she could help it, and she liked to watch the hummingbirds on her front porch each summer.

Doris is survived by her eight children - Dale (Diane), of Gurney, Roxanne (Bruce) Norman, of Davenport, Iowa, Bob (Cathy), of Hurley, Danny (Sharon), of Kimball, Toni (Roger) Ratkowski, of Saxon, Jamie (Nichole Carter) of Saxon, Perry (Staci Smith), of Saxon, and Stacy (Heidi), of Saxon; 23 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; siblings Dan (Gayle) Rowe, of Gurney, Robert (Sandra), of Saxon, and Jim Rowe, of Gurney; sister-in-law, Martha (Piilola) Rowe, of Barnes; and brother-in-law, Darrell Rice, of Tripoli.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; parents, Lester and Lucile (Lee) Rowe; parents-in-law, Inga (Swanson) and Parrell Ofstad; siblings, Dick Rowe, Dave Rowe and Janice "Tootie" (Rowe) Rice; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Annette (Ofstad) and Ted Johnson; sister-in-law, Gloria (Luoma) Rowe; and grandchildren, Damien Norman and Wendy Ofstad.

There will be a visitation and celebration of life on Thursday, Aug. 26, at the Gurney Community Center at 1 p.m. for family and friends. A private service for family will be held at 11 a.m. with interment at Edgewood Cemetery in Gurney to follow.

McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Ironwood, is assisting the family. For more information or to express online condolences, please visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.