Doris Hemphill

Doris Hemphill, longtime resident of Dickinson County, died peacefully with family members at her side on August 2, 2013, in Spencer, Iowa She was born in Milford, Iowa, on March 11, 1918, to Orville and Edna (O' Farrell) Donaldson, descendents of pioneer families of the community. Doris was a community leader, loving spouse, mother and grandmother, tireless volunteer and loyal friend to many. She was known for her collection of fashionable size four shoes. She remained active at her typewriter, at the bridge table and in the Highlands pool until her passing. She graduated from Milford High School, and after attending Mankato Business College, worked as a secretary in insurance, law, photography and county offices. She was clerk of the draft board during World War II and served as secretary to the Representative Bill Yeager and Senator Robert Keir in the Iowa State legislature. Doris was married on June 1, 1941, to Dwight Hemphill, son of Frank and Maryetta Hemphill, also of pioneer families. They resided in Milford after Dwight returned from military service until retiring to their home on East Okoboji Lake in 1983. Doris moved to The Landings on West Okoboji in 1998 and to the Highlands in Spencer in 2005. Doris was a member of Union Memorial Church in Milford, where she sang in the choir for over 50 years, often as a soloist for funerals and weddings. She was Past President of the Milford Federated Women's Club, past County president, and served the District Federation. One of the club projects started at that time was providing swimming lessons to Milford youth at Terrace Park Beach. Doris worked with state officials and property owners to preserve that beach for public use. Doris was Past Secretary and lifelong supporter of the Okoboji Protective Association and was instrumental in the establishment of the annual All Iowa Days weekend at Okoboji, at which the governor and state officials were entertained. Doris served in offices of the Milford Pythian Sister Temple and was Past Regent and Registrar of the Dickinson County Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Chapter. She was active in Republican politics, as past County President of Republican Women, Vice Chairman of the County Central Committee and Secretary and Parliamentarian of the Sixth District Republican women. She worked in the local office for Vice President George Bush during his stay at Village West while campaigning for the Presidency in 1987. Doris served as chairperson of the committee for the Year of Celebration of the Union Memorial Church Centennial in 1983 and compiled the history of the church. During preparation for the city of Milford's Centennial Doris wrote a column (Centennial Memoirs) on Milford history, published in the Milford Mail each week for the year preceding the celebration. Doris served on the Gardener Cabin Historic Site Advisory Committee and as a Board Member of the Dickinson County Historical Society. She was recognized as a leading Dickinson County historian. Doris is survived by one son, Donald, and his wife, Judy, of Spencer; grandson Benjamin and his wife, Jacquie, and great-grandson ,Grant James, of Edgewater, Colorado; granddaughter Libby and her spouse, Naomi , and great-grandson, Nathan Donald, of Chicago, Illinois; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Lorin and Robert Donaldson, her husband, Dwight in 1988, five sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law. A celebration of Doris' life will be held at Union Memorial Church in Milford at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, August 7, 2013. Lunch will be served at the Church. Interment will be at the Okoboji Cemetery in Arnolds Park. Memorials may be given to the Dickinson County Historical Society or the Union Memorial Church.