Doris Elaine Bockoven, 95, passed on peacefully to eternal life in heaven on December 22, 2021. She was born to James M. Richards and Georgia E. Dickerson on July 19, 1926, in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Behind her sparkling blue eyes and calming demeanor, beat the heart of a lion. She believed deeply in helping her family, friends, and community. She was always cheering for the underdogs. She had a deep faith and practiced her faith by volunteering. She spent many weekends with Prison Fellowship at the Mitchellville Correctional Facility and provided guidance and unconditional support for women who needed a helping hand. She was a founding member and past president of the Urbandale Lioness. She was always helping her family, frequently stopping by their houses to provide cooking, cleaning, and pet support.
After graduating from High School, Doris took a train to Washington, DC to work for the Department of Defense. Her role was to write compassionate condolence letters to the families of fallen WW II military members. She went on to have a 62-year career in Federal and Private business. Her last years were spent as a resource administrator for the US Marine Corp Officer Program. She loved the many military members and their families with which she worked.
Doris loved to play cards and dominoes. She was a fierce competitor. She also loved chocolate turtle candy, bible hymns, word search puzzles, and spending time with family pets, who adored her.
Proceeding her in death were her parents, her husband William A. Bockoven, her son Michael L. Cox, her brother Keith Richards, her sister Martha Thompson. and her sister-in law Ann Richards.
Left to cherish her happy memories is her daughter Marcy (Kyle) Knee, her daughter-in-law Jeanne Cox, her grandchildren Brian (Angie) Cox and Stephanie (Doug) Adkisson, and her great-grandchildren Christian (Genevieve), Dolan, and Emma.