Doris Lula Larson was born on May 23, 1913, at Randolph, NE, the daughter of John Andrew and Anna Carolina Victoria (Hildor) Larson. The family moved to Stanton, IA, when Doris was 2 years old and she was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Doris attended country school through the 7th grade and then the family moved to Elliott and she then rode a school bus to school. She graduated from Elliott High School in 1931.

As a young girl, Doris started taking piano lessons, walking across a field to her teacher's house. In high school she became the school pianist. After graduation, she continued playing at school for school contests and concerts, and in the ensuing years she played for area weddings, funerals, and programs. She always thought her greatest musical accomplishment was accompanying a community area choir in their performance of Handel's "Messiah." She was organist for the Elliott Church of Christ for 30 years and after moving to Atlantic played organ for the Atlantic United Church of Christ for a few years.

On January 22, 1933, she married her high school sweetheart, Charles Ellis Reed at the home of her parents. She and Ellis farmed northeast of Elliott for 45 years, and following his death on February 11, 1978, she sold the farm and moved to Atlantic. While in Elliott she was active in the Elliott Church of Christ as organist and in the church circles. She was a member of the Federated Club and the Neighborhood Club. After moving to Atlantic, she was active in the Atlantic United Church of Christ, the Cass County Memorial Hospital auxiliary, the Priscilla Club, and the Guild. She has lived at the Heritage House for the last 3 years.

Doris died Saturday morning, February 20, 2010, at the Heritage House at the age of 96 years, 8 months and 27 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Torri, her husband Ellis, her son-in-law John Scharp, her sister and brother-in-law Iva and George Houtz, her sister-in-law Elaine Larson, her brother-in-law Bill Reed, and sister-in- law and brother-in-law Mildred and Charles Babcock.

Doris's survivors include her daughters and husbands: Novalene (Clifford) Wright of Wiota, IA, and Marcia (Erwin) Friesen of Nebraska City, NE; her 7 grandchildren and spouses and 17 great-grand children: David (Laura) Wright and family Katie, Sarah and Steven of Atlantic; Tim (Cheryl) Wright and family Isaiah, Rebekah and Annika of Polk City, IA; Brian Wright of Liberty Hill, TX; Lisa (Andy) Samuelson and family Aubrey, John and Ava of Los Altos Hills, CA; Corey (Andrea) Friesen and family Abigayle and Sophie of Mukiltea, WA; Julie (Bob) Clark and family Jarrod, Erika, Brandon and Gracie of Millard, NE; and Kristina (Ryan) Steffen and family Garrett and Lily of Issaquah, WA. Also surviving are her brothers and sisters-in-law: Rev. Kenneth (Mary) Larson of Spokane, WA and J. Donovan (Mary) Larson of Springfield, IL; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Mavis and Raymond Moree of Red Oak, IA; and her sister-in-law Ramona Reed of Griswold, IA, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, February 26, 2010, at 11:00 AM at the Atlantic United Church of Christ, 16th and Hazel in Atlantic, Pastor Nancy Jensen officiating. Prior to the memorial service, burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak, IA. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold and the family will be present from 6:00 to 7:30 on Thursday evening.