Doris Mae Kjome

August 27, 1921 - September 12, 2014

Doris Mae Kjome, age 93 of Spring Grove passed away, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 at Tweeten Healthcare Center, in Spring Grove She was born August. 27, 1921 in Winona, MN to Nels Peter and Ida Amelia (Brose) Skow. Doris grew up in Winona. She enjoyed the closeness of family and the early friendships of many beloved cousins, aunts and uncles. She attended Winona High School, Winona Teachers College, and returned to Winona later in her life and received her Master’s Degree from Winona State University. As a young, single woman, Doris enjoyed teaching in Plainview, Dodge Center and Winona elementary schools. Until her good friend, Mildred Kjome introduced her to her brother, Andrew. They were married on June 12, 1955. She loved the move to the family farm. On the farm she practiced her gift of hospitality. She could often be found making food for any number of people who happened to be visiting, and that Andy invited in for a meal. Many times she turned food for 5 into food for 15. She loved to read and collect cookbooks and recipes, and her apple crisp recipe is a family treasure. She continued to teach, after her children were in school, in Spring Grove Elementary School and later as a Release Time teacher for Trinity Lutheran Church. She enjoyed the friendships from those teaching years the rest of her life. Her love of teaching extended her lifetime, from her years in Winona, to the time she spent with her grandchildren, up to her last years at Tweeten Lutheran Healthcare Center, where she could be found reading to other residents. Doris was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, and it’s women’s groups. She was also a member of many community organizations, such as American Legion Auxiliary, Homemakers, Study Club and a fun-loving bridge club. Survivors include her daughters Kathryn (Mike) Serby of Mundelein, Ill, Mary (Lane) Zaffke, Spring Grove , and Susan Kjome of Caledonia. Grandchildren Andrew (Bekki) Zaffke and their children Hagen and Henry of San Antonio, TX, Isaac (Jennifer) Zaffke of Arlington, TX, Peter Zaffke of Spring Grove, Emily Serby of London, England, and Zachery and Lauren Serby of Mundelein, Ill. A nephew, Paul (Linda) Strand, Plymouth, MN and niece, Francine (Joel) Gruhn, Barrington, Rhode Island. Her life was also blessed with good neighbors and wonderful friends. In addition to her parents Nels and Ida, she was preceded in death by her husband Andrew.