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- [S926] Find-A-Grave, (www.findagrave.com).
Doris Marie Rochner Wilkening
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Birth: Jun. 2, 1928
Arkansas, USA
Death: Sep. 27, 2009
Bakersfield
Kern County
California, USA
BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN NEWS OBITUARY - 10/16/2009
Doris Wilkening, beloved mother, grandmother, friend and matriarch of a large extended family, Doris Marie Wilkening, 81, died at her Bakersfield home on September 27, 2009. A consummate chef, avid reader, music lover and quiet sophisticate, Doris was deeply devoted to her family, and instilled in her children and grandchildren the importance and joy of family life. Doris Rochner was born in Corydon, Indiana on June 2, 1928. The youngest of six children, she spent her childhood on the family farm in DeWitt, Arkansas. After high school, Doris attended the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, Tennessee, graduating in 1949. While in nursing school, Doris met her soon-to-be husband, Ralph Wilkening, MD. They married in 1950. In 1951, the newlyweds moved to Bakersfield and quickly started a family; having six children over the next 12 years. Settling in northeast Bakersfield, Doris began to build the home that would serve as a hub of activity for her children and the surrounding neighborhood. Tragedy struck in the spring of 1972 when Ralph died in a car accident. Still, Doris was determined to create positive memories for her children. While keeping her family together, Doris volunteered with the Bakersfield Assistance League and later worked as a nurse in Dr. Chris Smale's office, a job she held from 1980-2006. A testament to her strength and character, the loving home environment she built would stand until her death - a meeting place and safe haven for her children, grandchildren and friends. Memories of Doris' cooking are treasured by friends and family. Her holiday feasts were legendary - the quality, quantity and variety of food was mind-boggling. Even every-day meals were incredible, and her desserts unforgettable. Food often served as catalyst for family gatherings at Doris' home, and as her children had children of their own, Sunday dinners at Grandma's house became a tradition. Doris was a voracious reader and lover of the arts. This passion was passed down to her children and grandchildren, and long discussions over recently read books were common. As a longtime lover of classical music, Doris often listened to the local NPR station while in her kitchen or enjoying her backyard. Her passions extended to animals, as well: a long line of pets lived with and were loved by Doris over the years, and one of her favorite pastimes was watching and identifying the many birds who visited her large backyard. A devoted grandmother, Doris enjoyed spending time with all of her 14 grandchildren. Her conversations and love are deeply missed by each of them. And though of a seemingly stoic nature, Doris possessed a uniquely dry, and sometimes wickedly acerbic, wit: her one-liners could be biting, but never fail to bring a smile to the family members who remember them well. As the head of large household with children and grandchildren always on the move, Doris was a consistently good sport; putting up with a variety of pranks and minor outrages, and a willing participant in many family games and parties. Strong, talented, sophisticated and devoted, Doris leaves behind a lifetime's worth of wonderful memories. She is survived by her son, David Wilkening and wife Mary; her daughter, Christine and husband Roger Almklov; her son, Mark Wilkening and wife Cynthia; her daughter, Karin and husband Steven Koobatian; her daughter, Jennifer and husband Terry Dahl; her daughter, Nancy and husband Michael Willis; her grandchildren include Tomas and Nicklaus Wilkening, Erin and Erik Almklov, Matthew and Anne Wilkening, Evy and husband Robin Power, Dustin Koobatian, Clayton, Maddison, Konrad and Tucker Dahl, Bentley and Sophia Willis; and dogs, Ginger and Zoe. Donations may be made in her name to the Bakersfield Assistance League or the SPCA. A private family service will be held at Saint Paul's Anglican Church memorial garden where her ashes will be interred. On November 1st, 12:00 noon, a celebration of Doris's life will be held at her family home. Friends are welcome.
Family links:
Parents:
August Fred Rochner (1884 - 1965)
Gertrude E. Litch Rochner (1891 - ____)
Spouse:
Ralph L. Wilkening (1915 - 1972)
Burial:
Cremated, Ashes scattered.
Specifically: Bakersfield, CA at St. Paul Anglican Church Memorial Garden
Created by: Francie Ede
Record added: May 04, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 69352517
- [S8] Information from an informant - Auskunft eines Informanten - Information d'un informateur.
Proposed Change: John Litch (I97470) Tree: Südpfalz / Southern Palatinate Link: http://www.birkenhoerdt.net/getperson.php?personID=I97470&tree=Suedpfalz Description: There was an older daughter, Gertrude E. (from first wife) that does not appear in the database. Located this family in 1900: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.2/1TBM-TL4/p_23793625 Marriage reoord of Gert. E.: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.2/9XQ3-NCY/p_10566204876 1920 census of Gert. E, husband and children: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.2/M8YM-SYY/p_304525746
claire rassman
- [s807] Indiana, Index to Select Marriages, 1780-1992.
Groom: August F Rochner
Groom's Race: White
Groom's Date of Birth: 02 Dec 1885
Groom's Place of Birth: Lanesville, , Indiana
Groom's Residence: Lanesville, , Indiana
Groom's Number of Marriage: 1st
Groom's Father: August A Rochner
Groom's Mother: Mary Reising
Bride: Gertrude E Litch
Bride's Race: White
Bride's Date of Birth: 27 Oct 1891
Bride's Place of Birth: Crandall, , Indiana
Bride's Residence: Crandall, , Indiana
Bride's Number of Marriage: 1st
Bride's Father: John Litch
Bride's Mother: Mary Janner
Informant Name:
Date of License: 12 Jan 1911
County of License: Harrison
Date of Marriage: 18 Jan 1911
Place of Marriage: St. Mary'S Church, Harrison, Indiana
Official:
Record Number:
Film Number: 1404874
Digital Folder Number: 4455456
Image Number: 00201
Number of Images: 1
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1928 - 2009 (81 years)