Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Doris A. Crider passed away peacefully in her sleep at her residence on Monday, February 1, 2021. She was 94 years young and passed from natural causes.
Doris was born on June 22, 1926, to Selma and Richard Lewis in Pine River, Minnesota. Doris was the oldest child and when her sister Betty was born the Lewis family was complete. Doris grew up during the time of the Great Depression and it was obvious that this shaped the person she was, she had a great work ethic, made do with what she had and did not like throwing anything away. It also made her appreciate the times when she could pick up a grandchild or two and take them to the Ice Cream Parlor for lunch and of course bubble gum ice cream!
Doris graduated from Pine River High School with her future husband, Clinton Crider. Although, it would not be until the summer of 1949 before they wed, she would always say that she knew he was the one from the time she saw him. Doris would tell a story about how a classmate said to her one day that she was going to go to the dance with Clinton and Doris replied with a “that’s fine but I’m going to marry him!” In 1951, the young couple moved from Pine River, Minnesota all the way to Helena, Montana to follow a job opportunity for Clinton and it turned out to be the place they would call home up until their final days.
Doris and Clinton had three boys, Mike, Colin, and Jeff. Luckily, Doris loved the outdoors and all that it entailed. The family would spend countless days camping, hiking and yes even fishing! Even after all the children moved out her and Clinton would load up their camper and take off into the great wilderness of Montana for days at a time. If you were ever lucky enough to get to hiking with Doris, she was sure to point out all the wildflowers and knew them all by name and when and where they bloomed.
Doris had such an enthusiastic zest for life, she was an avid walker and would get up early and work out or walk well into her 80’s! She loved to be around her family and especially grandchildren, and as great grandchildren started to come into the world, she was happiest sitting with a baby in her arms and the babies were happy with her to. Up until the end of her great life, you never went to Doris’s house without getting a Hershey Kiss or two, and I don’t think anyone who knew her will ever look at Hershey Kisses without thinking of Doris.
Doris is survived by her son, Mike (Carol) and Colin (MaryAnn) of Helena, and Jeff (Rebecca) of Tucson, Arizona; her sister in law, Maxine of Jefferson City; grandchildren, Jenny Iverson (John), Tim Metcalfe (Mariah), and Jay Crider (Stephanie) of Helena, Emily Thomas (Nick) of Boise, ID and Joey Crider (Katie) of Bend, OR; her great-grandchildren, Stella, Charlie, Ole, and Harvey Iverson, Sophia, Indira, and Wrigley Metcalfe, Jacob and Molly Crider, Brayden, Drew, and Rosalia Thomas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Doris is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Betty; beloved husband, Clinton; her granddaughter, Candice Crider Metcalfe; great-granddaughter, Lea Marie Metcalfe; and her brother’s and sister’s in law.
CRIDER, Doris A., age 94 of Helena passed away February, 1, 2021. A memorial service celebrating Doris’ life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 13th at St John’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Ave. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church. Memorials may be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105 and St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Ave, Helena MT 59601.
The family would like to thank the staff at Edgewood for all the special care and love that Doris experienced while living there, and a special thanks to the Hospice nurses taking care of her in her final months.
Allen Stennhjem says
God Bless Doris ….
Bobbie Scott says
Such a sweet, lovely lady. She sat at the same table as my Mom at Edgewood. I had many meals there and enjoyed her company. Our heartfelt sympathy.
Joyce and Bobbie Scott
Penny Adams Cloninger says
I had many wonderful times with Doris and Clinton and the three boys. Doris always had something for me to eat when I visited the Criders’. I had wonderful times because I lived across the street . Thank you wonderful Lady.
Gwynn and John Mundinger says
While Doris was still physically able to attend services at St. John’s Lutheran Church we visited every Sunday. She was gracious and lifted up others with her smile. I wonder how many years he helped fold bulletins. Two grandchildren I know are Joey and Jay. May I send special greetings to them with my message of sympathy to the family.