Doris Wilkerson

Doris Wilkerson, 90, of Marshalltown and formerly of Garwin, Iowa, passed away surrounded by her family on the morning of November 24, 2023 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Doris will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 beginning at 10:30 A.M. at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish: St. Henry Church. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:00 A.M. until 10:15 A.M. Memorials in Doris’ name may be directed to her family for a later designation. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Doris Colleen Ferry was born December 26, 1932 on the family farm near Garwin. She was the third of four daughters born to Arch and Elizabeth (Biley) Ferry. Doris attended grade school at Whippoorwill country school and high school in Toledo, Iowa. She graduated in the Class of 1949.

In 1950, Doris was united in marriage to Jerry Wolfe. From their union they had five daughters. After 26 years of marriage, Jerry passed away. On September 30, 1988, she was united in marriage to Theron Wilkerson. Doris and Theron lived in Garwin for 40 years before moving to Marshalltown. She was employed at GTE as a secretary for a time, and later she worked as a secretary at the Toledo middle school.

While in Garwin, Doris was an active member in the St. Boniface Parish. She served on the Parish Council and the rosary society, and as a Eucharistic Minister. Once moving to Marshalltown, she became a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish: St. Henry Church. She was the President and CEO of WPPI, an exclusive organization with her immediate family. In her free time, she enjoyed playing cards and was always up for a game, especially cribbage, solitaire and Hand & Foot. She excelled at puzzles of all kinds. She treasured the trips with Theron on his motorcycle for many years, and they rode all over the country. She also loved watching Iowa Women’s Basketball. Above all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Doris is survived by her husband, Theron Wilkerson; her children, Kristy (Harvin Langenbau) Beck, Cindy (Al) Upah, Jill Hoskins, Laurie (Eldrige) Conley, Lisa (Mike Stackenwalt) Wieck; her step-children, Sharon Moore, Cindy (Reggie) Washington, and Dale (LeAnn) Wilkerson; 15 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; her sister, Nancy McConnell; brothers-in-law, Wayne (Shirley) Wilkerson and Lynn (Lorraine) Wilkerson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Jerry; her parents, Archie and Elizabeth Ferry; siblings, Patricia Jochims and Angela Gates; father and mother-in-law, Ralph and Pearl Wilkerson.