Doris Lee Reed Baumberger, age 84, passed away peacefully in her home, on January 15, 2021 with her loving family by her side. Doris was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas on July 8, 1936 to the late Leo J. and Billie L. Reed. She moved with her family to Springfield, as a little girl, and eventually attended Republic School where she metContinue Reading
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Doris Lee Reed Baumberger, age 84, passed away peacefully in her home, on January 15, 2021 with her loving family by her side.
Doris was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas on July 8, 1936 to the late Leo J. and Billie L. Reed. She moved with her family to Springfield, as a little girl, and eventually attended Republic School where she met the love of her life, Gary Baumberger. Doris was very involved in activities such as cheerleading, band, choir and acting in musicals. She attended Southwest Missouri State University and continued her love of speech club and musical productions, with starring roles in “Oklahoma” and “Kiss Me Kate” under the direction of Dr. Coger. Doris was also an active member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Doris married Gary in 1958 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and joined him on an adventure that included a naval career, where they were stationed in Pensacola, Bermuda, Norfolk and Memphis, gaining lifelong friends along the way. Gary left the navy and became a pilot for TWA, and he and Doris moved back to the family farm in Brookline, MO in 1965. She loved gardening, raising calves, playing tennis, volunteering as a campfire girls co-leader, being a home room mom, playing bridge, visiting an occasional casino and traveling with Gary. Doris loved to sing and was a wonderful cook. She was always ready to feed anyone who walked into her kitchen. “Aunt Doris” was known to sing “Let Me Entertain You” while flipping pancakes and listening to the stories of her kids and their friends while they sat around her table and watched her fry chicken. No one ever left her house with an empty stomach. She was “Mom” to many and a stranger to no one. Later in life, Doris and her friend Patty, became CNAs and worked together in Home Healthcare, always ready to lift the spirits of the client with their contagious laughter and silly sense of humor. As an assistant activity director, Doris had a true gift to make each individual feel heard and important. She was a dependable and true friend, a fun and loving grandmother, a wise and caring mother and a devoted and faithful wife. We will miss her vivacious charm, her warmth and passion and her million dollar smile. May her memory be eternal. We love you, Mom.
Survivors include her loving husband of 62 years, Gary Baumberger; three children, Michael Baumberger, Melissa Roberts and husband Keith, and Christine Rote and husband John; also surviving are her beautiful grandchildren, Samantha and husband Zach, Bailee, Blake, Madison, Olivia, Rebecca, Timothy “Kit”, and Caleb; two great-grandchildren, Lily and Declan; her loving nieces and nephews, Jeff, Cindy, Julie, and Bill; precious cousins; her sweet sister-in-law and buddy, Wanda Reed; and a host of very special friends.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Jim, Billy Mack, and Steve; and one infant sister, Mary Kathleen.
Doris and her family are thankful for her caregivers, who helped tremendously along her journey.
The family will receive friends from 5:00pm-7:00pm, Friday, January 22, 2021 at Greenlawn Funeral Home South. A celebration of Doris’ life will be held Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 at 11:00am in Greenlawn Funeral Home – South Springfield. In memory of Doris, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in care of the funeral home.
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