Doris A. Pesola

Doris Ann Anderson was born, together with her twin sister Dorothy, on September 30, 1915, to James Anderson and Sarah Hamre Anderson in Littlefork, Minnesota. She attended school in Littlefork, graduating from Littlefork High School. After two years at Bemidji Teacher's College, she began teaching in a rural school in Silverdale, MN, where she met Reino Pesola. Doris and Ray married on July 3, 1938.She taught in Bayfield, Wisconsin, McNary, Arizona, and in Mankato, Montevideo, Warren, Fairmont, and Faribault, Minnesota. She became an expert reading teacher and then a first-grade specialist whom parents in Faribault regularly requested for their children. While in Faribault she earned her Bachelor's degree from Mankato State University, a very proud moment in her life.Doris loved music and became a piano teacher at home. Later she accompanied children's choirs and Sunday school. It was always a thrill for her to attend her son Russ' band concerts, in Wabasso, Northfield, and for many years at Concordia College.Doris and Ray retired to Nisswa, Minnesota, where they enjoyed the outdoors and traveling with their camper. After Ray's death in 1983, Doris moved to Moorhead, where she developed a new circle of friends and taught Bible school. She knitted afghans and other specialties for her family, and loved to read-sometimes several books in a week. Her family was the centerpiece of her life, and her love and pride enriched the lives of her children and grandchildren. It was her greatest joy to gather them all around her.As her health and eyesight failed, Doris came to rely on her granddaughter, Airi, for help and support-and as an enthusiastic Bingo partner. She began to read books on tape, and her bright mind, sense of humor, and loving spirit stayed with her to the end of her life.Doris was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sister, and a nephew. She is survived by her son Russell Pesola Denise, her daughter Diane Miller Alan, daughter-in-law Carol Ann Dahlberg Duane, grandchildren Dan and Lauren Miller and Kristin and Airi Pesola, and a niece, Helene Policinski. She also had a very special relationship with Natalija, Tatijana, Alejandro, Fabian, and Giovanni MullerDahlberg. She will be deeply missed.