Doris Eleanor (Corman) Berkley, 93, passed peacefully on April 14, 2022, in Vancouver, Wash., near her granddaughter. She was born on lucky Friday, July 13, 1928, on a farm just outside of Tescott, to Winnifred and Swinley Corman. She married Harold Berkley on Nov. 9, 1947, in Tescott. Doris attended Wesleyan University, went on to work at the bank, and then later started the gift shop at the local Home Appliance store. She then went on to work at the gift shop at Komarek Jewelry, and throughout her life, she frequently recounted her fond memories of assisting all of “her” brides while working there.
In her later years, her attention turned to doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a proud member of the First Christian Church and enjoyed activities with the joy group and serving others. She was also an active member of the Silver Cougars. Perhaps her most proud accomplishment later in life was sewing quilts, and hand embroidering over 850 pillowcases for the Golden Plains Quilts of Valor, a chapter she also helped establish. To date, the organization has awarded more than 860 quilts to local Veterans.
Doris was an exceptional seamstress and crocheted the most beautiful and intricate afghans. Her afghans were highly coveted for not only their craftsmanship but their thoughtfulness and unique designs, tailored to the recipient. She was also known for her delicious baked goods which she often shared with others. Doris was a devoted wife, mother, loving grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who will be dearly missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing her, as will her abundance of stories.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband Harold Berkley, her daughter Debbie Berkley, her brothers Gene, Evan, and Blaine, and sister Margaret. She is survived by her brothers Ted and Pat Corman, and sister Mary Louise Werries, her daughter Terri Rous, her grandchildren and their spouses Jennifer (Shawn) Zupfer, Sarah (Steven) DeWhitt, and Darren (Amber) Rous, and great-grandchildren, Mason, Alison, Rogan, Bennet and Colson.
In her honor, memorial contributions can be made to the Golden Plains Quilts of Valor and the First Christian Church of Great Bend. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 11 a.m, at the First Christian Church of Great Bend, followed by a light luncheon and fellowship.