Doris E. Treimer, 96, Hartley

A funeral service for Doris E. Treimer was held Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley. Pastor Chris Nitzel officiated.

Pallbearers were Jeff Hildreth, Mike Schwien, Wade Gebert, Brett Ripke, Chris Langner and Eben Salton. Honorary pallbearers were Peter and Hanel Velez, Marcus and Corryn Treimer, Meredith Treimer and Valerie Treimer. Interment was at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Doris Ellen Salton Treimer was born to Christian parents, William and Ida Johnson Salton, on May 3, 1926 on a farm in Clay County. Doris was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Ruthven.

In 1943, Doris graduated from Gillett Grove High School where she excelled in academics and enjoyed playing the trumpet. She began working at a young age, first on her family’s farm and then as a bookkeeper at Vic’s Auto Shop in Spencer. She then went to work at Farmers’ Trust and Savings Bank in Spencer. When the bank purchased the Gillett Grove Savings Bank, they called on Doris to become the manager. Being only 19 and alone, she was provided with a handgun for protection.

Doris’ dream was to work at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago but she was sidetracked when she took a temporary job at Treimer’s Insurance Agency in Hartley, where she soon met her future husband. After a short courtship, she and Virgil Treimer became husband and wife on Feb. 26, 1950. To this happy couple, five children were born.

Doris was a wonderful homemaker and mother who made every occasion special. She supported many organizations and stayed active in the community. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid, and a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher; a 61-year member of the Friday Club; a member and co-chairman with Virgil on the hospital board in Hartley, and a board member of the Hartley Medical Center; a census taker for the Hartley school system; a Notary Public; president, vice-president and secretary of Iowa Mutual Tornado Insurance Women’s Auxiliary in Des Moines; as well as involved in other organizations. She was honored in 2004 when she and Virgil served as King and Queen of the Hartley Quasquicentennial.

Doris passed away in Hartley on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, at the age of 96. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Virgil; an infant son; her brothers: John Edward Salton, William Robert Salton, Sandy Salton and Kenneth Salton; her sister, Helen Salton Anderson; five brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; and many good friends and relatives.

Doris is survived by her children: Ellen Treimer, of Hartley; Margaret Velez and her husband, Jorge, of Long Beach, Calif.; Debra Wasser and her husband, Rich, of Long Beach, Calif.; and William Treimer and his wife, Patty, of Wahpeton; her grandchildren: Peter Velez (Hanel), Meredith Treimer, Marcus Treimer (Corryn) and Valerie Treimer (fiancé, Kevin Courtney); sisters-in-law, Natalie Salton and Darlene Embry (Jim); and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Doris was a loving wife, parent and grandparent. She was a fantastic cook and in her mid-90s she could still bake delicious rhubarb, gooseberry and cocoa pies. She was a poet, an avid reader and always up to date on current events. She loved to learn, and banking was in her blood. She loved her family and she passed down her values to all. She had a great sense of humor. She loved God and her country. Her family will never forget her generosity, her beautiful prayers, her great faith, her love for others and her favorite sayings, “Don’t we have fun” and “God is good.”