Doris Marie Fast

April 8, 1930 – December 29, 2024

Doris Marie Janzen was born on April 8, 1930, to Theodore and Marie (Peters) Janzen in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. She was the fourth of seven children—Pauline (Bartel), Robert, Roger, Clayton, Allen, and Carol (Fast). She attended Mountain Lake schools through high school and enjoyed ice skating with family and friends on the frozen pond in the wintertime. Her parents operated a dairy, so daily chores were processing milk in the basement and riding with her siblings in the back of the open-panel milk truck while making deliveries in the small-town community. Doris’ family attended Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake where she was baptized. Growing up she loved socializing with friends at church events and never ate a candy she didn’t like. In 1948, on a family trip to visit grandparents in California, the family was involved in a tragic car accident in Gallup, New Mexico where her brothers Robert and Clayton died, and Doris and her mother suffered major injuries. Up until the end of her life, Doris was able to recall and tell family and friends all about her childhood memories and life’s memorable events.

During her high school years, Doris met Alvin Fast at a church event and on October 28, 1949 Doris married her high school sweetheart at Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. Their first home as a married couple was a 2-room rental with no running water and a backyard outhouse. To purchase an ice box refrigerator Alvin sold a prized pig. Alvin and Doris bought a house on 6th Avenue, which is where they raised their three children. Gail Diane was born April 24, 1951. Bradley James was born July 2, 1953. Gregory Duane was born March 13, 1957. Alvin and Doris celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October 1999 just prior to Alvin’s death in May 2000.

After having children, Doris became a housewife while enjoying the church sewing circle and making clothes for her family, especially dresses for her daughter Gail. In 1965, the family of five moved to Reedley, California as Alvin accepted a job at Kings View Hospital. The family joined the Reedley First Mennonite Church community. She worked in the kitchen at Kings View and then as a laundry aid at Palm Haven.

Gail and Larry Harder were married in 1974, followed by Brad and Mary in 1976 and Greg and Tammy in 1979. Seven grandchildren came along between the years of 1979-1987. Doris made a point to never miss a family birthday and made sure the person would receive a birthday card from her.

Doris had a passion for baking, cleaning, taking care of grandkids, and sewing. Some family favorites of Doris’ recipes include: zwieback, potato buns, and pie crust that could hold any filling. Her wardrobe was full of white clothes that would start the day spotless, but never survived a stain-free meal. She never met a stain she couldn’t get out from ketchup to ink pen which earned her the title of “family stain getter outer”.

In 2004, Doris moved to Sierra View where she made friends and was cared for by the wonderful staff for 20 ½ years. Doris experienced good health for many years and enjoyed chats on the outdoor patio and visits from family, especially her 16 great grandchildren.

On December 23, 2024, Doris experienced a heart attack and was hospitalized. On December 29, 2024, she died peacefully in her sleep.

She was preceded in death by parents Theodore and Marie Janzen, husband Alvin, siblings Pauline, Robert, Roger, Clayton, Allen, and daughter Gail Harder.

Doris is survived by Larry Harder of Reedley; Brad (Mary) Fast of Reedley; Greg (Tammy) Fast of Moundridge, Kansas and her grandchildren Ted Harder, Jake (Renee) Harder; Lisa (Andrew) Shinn; Michael (Amy) Fast; Brian (Sarah) Fast; Shelby (Nathan) Graber; Whitney (Andrew) Scheef. She is also survived by her 16 great grandchildren. She has one surviving sister, Carol Fast of Mountain Lake, Minnesota, and three sisters-in-law, Louise Auernheimer, Eldoris Peak, and Joyce Janzen and many nieces and nephews.

She will be deeply missed and in our hearts forever.