Doris Jean Munter

Doris Jean Munter, 86, passed away on July 21, 2024, at a local nursing home in Sioux City, Iowa.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel (1801 Morningside Ave.) with visitation taking place one hour prior. 

Doris was born on June 6, 1938, to Arthur and Cordelia (Smith) Larsen in Fosston, Minnesota. She met Earl F. Munter after the Korean War and were married on April 30, 1955. From this union, they had three sons: Steven, Mark, and Keith. 

Doris and Earl started farming. However, after years of crop failure from storms, they left the farm and moved to town where Doris worked at Sears for many years. The family relocated around the United States, first moving to Jamestown, North Dakota, where Doris worked at Bostwicks Department Store, then moving to Helena, Montana, for three years before returning to her hometown of Fosston, Minnesota. They opened their business, “Earl Munter and Sons,” that Doris managed. They also had a Radio Shack and sold Quazar Motorola TVs and Westinghouse appliances. In 1980, the couple settled in Sioux City, where Doris worked two jobs: one at Morey and Raymonds Men’s Store and another at Downings House of Pancakes as a waitress.

At 45, Doris had a stroke, and lost the right side of her brain. Doctors believed she wouldn’t last much longer in this world, but Doris defied the doctors’ expectations and continued living life to the fullest. She passed a college class in accounting/bookkeeping and passed a full course for Bible Schoolwithin the last three years. Doris was strong, bright, never gave up, and always kept her faith. She said the most important thing in life was God and Jesus. 

Doris was a fantastic cook. She was always making pies, cookies, homemade bread, caramel rolls, and full course meals for the family. When her family offered to help in the kitchen, Doris would already have everything done every time. She also had a passion for oil painting. She would get up every morning at 4:00 am to watch Bob Ross’s “The Joy of Painting” and mimic his style. 

Her three sons and family meant the world to her. Earl was always at her side, holding her arm, as they walked together for just under 60 years before his passing in 2015. After Earl passed, Doris took care of herself for nine years until health issues started to way her down. Doris decided she wanted to go to her Heavenly home and be with God. She was one strong person, and now she is whole again with her family in Heaven. 

Doris is survived by her sons, Steven E. (Lori) Munter and Keith F. (Linda) Munter; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and sister, Leoney.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Earl F. Munter; parents, Arthur and Cordelia Larsen; parents-in-law, Oscar and Mabel Munter; son and daughter-in-law, Mark J. and Jenny Munter; brothers, Melvin Larsen, Dean Larsen, and Jim Larsen; and sister, Mercedes Beckstrom.