Doris June Volker, 92, a longtime Crookston, MN, resident, passed away Saturday afternoon, September 30, 2023, in the Fair Meadow Nursing Home at Fertile, MN, with family by her side.
Doris was born on June 9, 1931, to Gust Hans and Wilhelmine Henrietta (Horn) Brakob on the family’s farm in Norman County, near Gary, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church and began her education in the nearby Wildwood Country School. She would often recall in her later years the time that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited Gary to dedicate the Gary Pines. Doris next attended High School in Ada, MN, graduating as a member of the Class of 1949. She then moved to Crookston to enroll in the Bethesda Hospital School of Practical Nursing program. After proudly taking part in a Capping Ceremony on July 5, 1950, Doris began her career as an LPN at Bethesda Nursing Home. On February 10, 1951, she was united in marriage to Arly Leo Volker in the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church parsonage in Crookston. Over the coming years, Doris and Arly would be blessed by the births of 8 children. Doris somehow managed to continue her demanding career as a nurse while she and Arly together raised their kids in a very loving Christian home. 143 4th Avenue North became a popular gathering spot for kids who were neighbors and friends of their own, and Doris affectionately called them her “Mama’s Boys”. She later accepted a position at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home, where she served out the remainder of her time as a dedicated caregiver until the late 1970s.
Retirement by no means meant settling into a rocker on the porch. Delores was an activist at a time early on when it wasn’t necessarily a popular thing to be. She took on many of society’s ills based on her deep and abiding faith, and as a member of the Task Force on Domestic Violence, found her voice at the local, state, and national level, traveling as far as Chicago fighting to right wrongs that had existed for far too long. She was a devoted member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and participated in several Missouri Synod Conventions, including one held in St. Louis. Doris was also a regular contributor to the Crookston Times through her many op-ed articles.
Included among Doris’ many favorite pastimes were spending time in her flower and vegetable gardens and canning her special secret recipe for tomato juice, a real family favorite. She also enjoyed writing short stories and poetry and would spend hours on Facebook with family and friends. For years, she authored
Christmas Stories to share with her growing family, and as she read them, one could literally hear a pin drop because no one wanted to miss a word. Sadly, Arly passed away on September 18, 2000. Her family finds comfort in knowing that they are now reunited, and Doris is safe with her Lord and Savior.
Doris is survived by her 5 living children: Rodney (Liz) Volker of Detroit Lakes, MN, Arlin Volker of Crookston, Myron (Nikki) Volker of Janesville, MN, Jon (Kim) Volker of Crookston, and Linda Mittag of Crystal, MN; son-in-law, Chris Blokzyl of Crookston; daughter-in-law, Torrey (Craig) Ostgaard of Fisher, MN; 18 grandchildren: Shea (Jennifer) Volker, Anthony Volker, Seth (Amanda) Volker, Kathleen (Eric) Bell, Melissa (Chad) Stursa, Jennifer (Jamie) Houselog, Jordan Blokzyl (Frank Curs), Melanie (Mike) Pemrick, Myles (Nicole) Volker, Mitch (Carrie) Volker, Megan Volker (Roger Gilbert), Marley Volker, Matthew Volker, Tracy (Christian) Forseth, Kristie Allen, Levi Donson (Cassie), Hollie Allen, and Rosalyn Mittag; and 35 great-grandchildren: Emelia, Sophie, Conner, Wyatt, Elsie, Audrey, Creed, Tyler, Cohen, Drake, Zoey, Pearl, Myla, Hailey, Aryanna, Jaxson, Tyler, Zoe, Braxton, Cameron, Kayelynn, Lindsey, Mariah, Jadelyn, Preston, Maizie, Lily, Roman, Everett, Ingrid, Joey, Aften, Bella, Claire, and Lily. Doris also leaves 4 brothers and 3 sisters: Herman (Colleen) Brakob of Plymouth, MN, Lyle (Margaret) Brakob of Newport Beach, CA, Edward (Kathy) Brakob of Chesapeake, VA, Hans Brakob of Ruidoso, NM, Anna (Curtis) Pribula, of Fridley, MN, Colleen Boe of Crookston, and Carolyn Halvorson of Dilworth, MN; together with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
In addition to Arly, her beloved husband of 50 years, Doris is preceded in death by her daughter, Rhonda Blokzyl; son, Mark Volker; infant daughter, Rosemary; daughters-in-law, Elizabeth Volker and Mary Kay Erickson; son-in-law, Rick Mittag; parents, Hans and Wilhelmine Brakob; and parents-in-law, Emil and Clara Volker.
Treasured be the memory of Doris June (Brakob) Volker.
The Funeral Service honoring Doris’ life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 7, 2023, in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Crookston, with The Rev. Steve Bohler officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the funeral. The service will be live-streamed by going to Doris’ obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view. Interment will take place in the Oakdale Cemetery on Monday, 10-9-2023, Crookston. Messages of condolence may be given to the family on the funeral home website.
