Doris M Rood

Doris Mae Rood was born to Lillian and Harris Hammersberg on May 15, 1927 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She had one older sister, Shirley, who welcomed her into the family.

Her family moved to La Crosse, WI where she graduated from Logan High School in 1945.  While still in high school she met Clair when he “accidentally” kept throwing his football into her backyard and jumping the fence to retrieve it.  Doris and Clair were married January 26, 1950.  They moved to Superior, WI where they welcomed their first son into the family.  Later the family of three would move to Mosinee, WI.

The family moved back closer to home, living many years in Twin Coves just outside of Brownsville, MN.  Doris managed the house and family while Clair pursued his master’s and doctoral degrees. Doris spent many, many hours typing and retyping Clair’s master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation on a manual typewriter.  Doris was also a champion rattlesnake killer.  She defended her home and family against the snakes that would come down out of the bluffs.  Many times there would be a big rattler strung over the propane tank when Clair came home from work. The smell of freshly baked bread, back scratches on the porch, her whistling, and waking the kids up in the middle of the night to watch snow falling outside the kitchen window are memories of that special time.

Eventually, the family, now five strong, moved to La Crescent, MN where Doris continued to keep the family running. Doris and Clair and family joined Prince of Peace church and just missed being charter members. Doris became a “holy roller,” helping with the lefse bake for the church youth. She brought that tradition home to her family. She also made the most delicious apple crisp, and each year at Applefest would always make at least 5 pounds of barbeque, “just in case some of the kids’ friends stopped in.” Doris was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Through the years she attended band and choir concerts, track meets, softball games, and soccer matches. Wherever her family was, that’s where she wanted to be to cheer them on and show her support. Her words of wisdom taught us many life lessons and her quiet smile will be sorely missed.  She will be remembered by Clair as “a friend, mother, homemaker and partner.”

She is survived by her spouse of 72 years, Clair, three children, David (Barbara) Rood of Braselton, GA, Susan (James) Hermes of La Crosse, WI, and Jeffrey (Denine) Rood of Hinckley, MN. She is further survived by eight grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren: Matt (Erin) Rood and Paige of Knoxville, TN, Brian (Jana) Rood and Parker, Chase and Mason of Braselton, GA, Stacey (Vee) Sanchez and Eli, Everett and Ian of Braselton, GA, Kathleen (Bryan) Holkup and Norah and EJ of La Crosse, WI, Karin (Andrew) Weiker and Kendell, Maci and Lauren of Cashton, WI, Alyssa (Adam) Krokstrom of Onalaska, WI, Samuel (Hannah) Rood and Eleanor of Winona, MN, and Alex Rood of Wauwatosa, WI. An infant son, Gary, preceded her in death.

A private family ceremony and interment will be held. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.