Doris Gjervik

Doris Gjervik, age 100 of Litchfield, passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Bethany Assisted Living in Litchfield. A memorial service will be held at 1:30PM on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Augustana Memorial Chapel at Ecumen of Litchfield. Visitation will start at 1:00. 

A prayer service and interment will be held at a later date at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford, South Dakota. Wass Funeral Home, Beresford, SD, will have service information on their website.

Doris Gjervik, age 100, passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Ecumen of Litchfield, MN. The world has lost a kind and caring soul who maintained a heart of gratitude and service throughout her life.

Doris Mae Nelson was born on May 10, 1923, to Norman and Ruth (Lande) Nelson, on the family farm near Cylinder, Iowa. They raised Doris and her two siblings, Richard and Elizabeth, in a strong, loving family with their faith in God as the cornerstone of their lives. Doris’s father, her husband Stanley, and brother and brother-in-law were all Lutheran pastors.

Doris graduated from Augustana Academy, Canton, SD, in 1940, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD (1940-42) and Fairview School of Nursing in Minneapolis, MN. She married Stanley Victor Gjervik on May 29, 1945, as he finished his degree at Luther Theological Seminary, Saint Paul, MN. Then she began the work of raising six children, managing a full household and contributing to the community. She played a vital role at home, and extended hospitality to others by opening their home to others, often for lengthy stays.

While building a church and home in Hawaii, the contractor and wife lived in the home of Doris and Stan for a few years, and another time, a missionary family stayed for five years. When her mother-in-law lived with Stan & Doris in California for 12 years, Doris started a board and care home for five other women, and all six lived full-time with them. The Gjervik house was often bursting at the seams.

While active in parish life in the churches of Orfordville, WI; Lyle and Kenyon, MN; Honolulu, HI; Novato, Ventura and Joshua Tree, CA, Doris maintained her nursing license for forty years and worked in numerous hospitals. As a pastor’s wife she served as a teacher, Bible study leader, choir director, organist and other positions as needed. She was a Cub Scout leader and on the public school board while they lived in Hawaii. 

In retirement years, Stan and Doris served congregations at Roseni and Emmanuel Lutheran Churches at Beresford, SD, and Grand Valley Lutheran Church at Canton, SD, among others in the Sioux Falls area. Doris also volunteered with the Sioux Valley Hospice program in Sioux Falls, SD, exemplifying a listening, patient and gracious woman. Vacations in Norway and Europe with Stan were highlights, and in later years Doris continued to travel alone or with her daughter-in-law, Janis.

After Stanley died in 2003, Doris moved to an apartment in Sioux Falls, SD, then to Litchfield, MN, where she lived independently, and then in Ecumen senior living. Doris’s mind was clear to the end. She was an avid reader and enjoyed watching sports on TV. She could recall detailed memories of the numerous parishes where she and Stan served, and happy times with friends they knew. Doris had a warm wit, and loved to tease and laugh with friends.

Doris had eight children: Melvin, Ruth, Philip, Grace, Lois, Bruce, David and Mary Ann.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband Stanley; infant daughters Ruth and Grace; son Melvin and his wife, Janis; son Bruce; David’s wife, Billie; brother and sister-in-law Rev. Richard and Deloris Nelson.

Remembering a life well lived is her sister Elizabeth (Rev. J.David) Nelson, of Litchfield, MN; two sons, Philip (Laurie) Gjervik, Raymond, MN, and David Gjervik, Redding, CA; two daughters, Lois Gjervik Maertz, OR, and Mary Ann Gjervik, CA; and daughter-in-law Gail Gjervik, of Ventura, CA. Doris is also survived by four grandsons: Todd (Heather) Gjervik, Apple Valley, MN; Michael Gjervik and Brian Gjervik, Stewartville, MN; and Dylan Maertz, Brookings, OR. Great-grandchildren include Braden, Ethan, Noah and Ava Gjervik. Doris also has many nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful to Jenni Welte and the Ecumen hospice staff for their care and kindness.