Doris H. Van Stavern

Passed away quietly in the company of family on January 18, 2015, to be with her Father and Lord Jesus Christ. Doris Van Stavern was born and grew up on a farm at Starbuck, Minnesota. After graduating from high school she moved to Minneapolis to begin work at Western Union; she was transferred to Chicago, where she met her future husband Newton (“Van”), who was in training with the US Navy.

She moved to Washington, DC when Van was transferred to Bolling Air Base, roomed with his sister, and worked for Ercoupe in Maryland. Doris and Van married on April 18, 1946. They eventually moved to Union, West Virginia, where his family lived, but after a year or so decided to seek opportunity in Florida. The couple arrived in Tampa in the late 1940s and both started work at Maas Brothers. Van began his career at Keebler, and after their children were older, Doris worked as a Real Estate Agent for a number of years.Doris was a volunteer with “Meals on Wheels” for over 20 years.

With her husband, she was a charter member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and she was in the church choir for many years. She loved music, played the violin and organ, and was also a member of the Professional Women's Chorus of Tampa. She enjoyed gardening and painting. With the encouragement of her friend, Jon Post, she became a licensed amateur radio operator. One of her passions was learning about nutrition and living as healthily and independently as she could. She loved her family and loved her little Maltese, Benji.

Doris was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Newton Benjamin Van Stavern, to whom she was married 44 years. She is survived by her loving children Linda Michelle Van Stavern, Gregory Michael Van Stavern and his wife JoDee, Michael Loren Van Stavern, and Michelle Loreen Van Stavern. She is also survived by her brothers Orville Olson, Howard Olson (Mary Anne), and Donald Olson, and her sisters Janis Whittemore and Anne Vogler, as well as by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at 605 South MacDill Avenue, Tampa, on Monday, January 26, from 3 to 5pm. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm, Tuesday, January 27 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 South Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.