Doris Helen Kolander

Doris Kolander, age 103, of Lakefield, Minnesota passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society in Windom, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2022, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield, and also one hour prior to service on Tuesday.  Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Reverend Phil Beukema officiating. Burial will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Funeral service will be live streamed on the Immanuel Lutheran Church Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Immanuel Lutheran School are preferred.

Doris Helen (Baumann) Kolander, daughter of Fred and Helen (Burmeister) Baumann, was born on Thursday, May 9, 1918, on a farm east of Lakefield. She was the oldest and only daughter of 5 children. Doris was baptized, confirmed, and attended parochial school at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield, where her love of Jesus was deeply seated and shared throughout her life. She graduated from Lakefield High School. Doris was united in marriage to Willard Kolander on March 10, 1940, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. They were blessed with 4 children: Carol, Joanne, Wayne, and Eldon. Together Willard and Doris farmed near Okabena until 1979, when they retired from farming and moved to Lakefield. Doris spent the last 2 winters with her daughter Carol and had just recently become a resident of Good Samaritan Home in Windom, Minnesota where she passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at the age of 103 years, 9 months, and 24 days.

Doris was very engaged in social and community activities throughout her life. Her busy farm life spanned gardening, incubating duck eggs, canning, and catering to her lifelong love of flowers. In her youth she was active in helping originate a 4H club and later was active in her children’s 4H and school PTA. Her activities included “Project”, card clubs, “Doris” Club, Garden Club, bowling league, Okabena Commercial Club, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Ladies Aid, teaching Sunday School, Immanuel Church quilting and years of playing piano and helping as a “Grey Lady” at the Lakefield Colonial Manor. She loved sharing her home and time with grandchildren and particularly enjoyed the Okabena 4th of July celebration and fireworks.

She has been a spiritual rock and inspiration to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In spite of having a nearly paralyzed left arm from shingles for many of her later years, her example of not complaining was amazing.

She is loved and survived by 2 children, Carol (Jack) Baumgarn of New London, MN, and Eldon (Sue) Kolander of Rockton, IL, Son-in-law Jim Kiesow, plus 10 Grandchildren, 30 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Willard, parents Fred and Helen, daughter Joanne Kiesow,,  son Wayne Kolander, brothers Orville, Walter, Wilmer and Clarence.

Her warm smile and uplifting, encouraging attitude will be remembered and missed by all.

Blessed be the memory of Doris Helen Kolander.

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