Dorris Resnik was born in Poplar Bluff, Mo., on Nov. 13, 1922, to Hassie and Rosa (Kittridge) Cown. Her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lovingly took her home on Aug. 11, 2007, at Josephine Sunset Home in Stanwood. She graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1940 and attended secretarial college. Not long after, she traveled to California to marry her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Rudy Resnik in 1941. Dorris was “Rosie the Riveter” during the World War II years and was soon promoted to secretarial duties in the office of an aircraft company. After Rudy volunteered for the Army, she followed him from training base to training base until he was shipped overseas. Together they raised two daughters. In their retired years they spent every possible leisure moment playing golf and traveling the corners of our country to find an even better golf course. They loved to square dance and entertain family and friends at their home with their famous summer barbecues.
Dorris was the quiet servant. The Girl Scout assistant, the room mother, the church volunteer and choir member who quietly helped those unable to help themselves with their bills and chores or whatever they needed. Six months of every year were spent creating new items to sell at her church bazaar and Dorris soon became famous for her handmade candles, sewing and decorative crafts. Dorris was creative and exact in her creations. She often made her own clothes as well as those of her daughters. She volunteered in many ways in her church of 50 years, Sherman Oaks Methodist Church, where she appropriately received the Quiet Servant Award created just for her. When her husband’s health deteriorated, she packed up everything and moved them to Burlington, to be near their daughter. After her husband died she relocated to Oak Harbor.
Dorris was preceded in death by her beloved husband and best friend Rudy, daughter Gail Ann Roos and her parents. She will be sorely missed by her daughter, Susan Greathouse (Bob) of Oak Harbor; grandsons Chris (Lory) Greathouse of Camano Island, Kevin (Anita) Greathouse of Red Lion, Pa., Craig Greathouse of Bellingham; and great-grandchildren Jaclyn and Jared of Camano Island, and Alena of Red Lion, Pa.
Also feeling the void left by Dorris is her much loved “sista” Millie Krueger of Las Vegas; special nephews John (Kitty) Fritsche of Huntington Beach, Calif., Fred (Marilyn) Fritsche of Las Vegas, and the best brothers-in-law ever, Tony (Barbara) Resnik of San Francisco and Lawrence (Venita) Resnik of Poplar Bluff, as well as numerous other friends and relatives.
The family wishes to express their extreme gratitude to the loving care given Dorris by Dr. Bob Raish, Karen and crew, nurses, office people and volunteers at Island Hospital Cancer Care Center and the infusion nurses and staff at Madrona Medical. God’s angels on earth run Josephine Sunset Home in Stanwood and all truly ministered to Dorris as such in her final days to make her comfortable, happy and surrounded by the love of Jesus.
A service of remembrance will be held on Friday, Aug. 17, at 11 a.m. at Oak Harbor United Methodist Church with Pastor David Lura officiating. Graveside services will follow at Mount Vernon Cemetery at 2 p.m. Remembrances may be made to UMCOR “to alleviate human suffering caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster” at P.O. Box 9068, New York, New York 10087. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
