Doris Avon Junema Larson Zwieg left us on Dec. 11, 2009 to join her dancing partners. She was 85.
She started life on Sept. 5, 1924 in Alexandria, MN, a daughter of Peter J. and Agnus (Sundberg) Larson. She had three brothers, the late Daryl (Helen) Larson, Roger (Betty) Larson and Jerry (Gail) Larson; two sisters, Janice (Lee) Kaltned and the late Shirley Larson; daughters Arvis (Tom) Thompson, Phyllis Griswold; grandchildren Bradley, Rebecca, Robin and Erik; five great-grandchildren; and lots of nieces and nephews.
She married Arvin Zwieg, the neighbor boy from the next farm over, in May 1946. Her life took her from being the country farm girl, carrying water for daily chores, beating rugs (and brothers who teased her unmercifully), walking to school “uphill both ways” to St. Louis Park, then to California with family to run a biker bar restaurant. Life brought them back to Minnesota to set up a small farm and Rupp (snowmobile) dealership in Maple Plain.
In 1987, she moved to Grand Marais and dreamt of becoming a dance hall queen. She knew there was a need and could never figure out why one didn’t exist — she would have been there every night. The irony of life—while she lived in Denver (2006-07) her excursions took her to a biker bar that had live music and she was the hit of the day, dancing and laughing with the toughest customers.
Throughout life when unique opportunities presented themselves she was the adventuresome “Grandma” who jumped on a mini-bike (and crashed) at 50, rode the World’s Fastest Roller Coaster at 55 (after her grandchildren promised it was a pussycat ride), and was buggy mudding at 60, 70 and 80. There was also a daycare career at 74 for Colton, submerging herself in Leng’s Soda Fountain with the family, snowmobiling over open water at 76 with grandson Brad, and whipping “louies” at 78. Her grandchildren brought her enormous heart-stopping adventures and delight.
She was excited to travel to Denver, Branson, Seattle, California, the Florida Keys and Hawaii.
Her life was one of hard work, from the farm to the factories of Minneapolis, to the gardens and woods of Maple Plain, to retirement in Grand Marais.
Her last few years were spent in nursing homes in Denver and lastly the Veteran’s Home in Silver Bay, where she passed away. The dementia took away a lot of what she was, but it left the sweet lady who brought smiles and gut-wrenching laughter to anyone who would spend a little time with her and a woman with a profound love of rock ‘n roll and dancing. This love of music was the spark that caught a lot of people up in the dance, the smiles, and the laughter. Life was fun for a moment or two again.
A memorial service will be held in February for all who love the dancing and would like to join the family in sending her spirit to be dancing with the stars.
Next time you see a dandelion moving in the wind, think of Doris.
Hilliard R. “H” Smathers, 85, went to be with the Lord on December 5, 2009. A celebration of H’s life will take place 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 9, at Maple Hill Church with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send your memorial to Animal Advocates of the Arrowhead, ATTN: Gay O’Donnell, 2925 E. Hwy 61, Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Arrangements by Cavallin Funeral Home.
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