God called our beloved Doris on June 25th, 2022 to her place in heaven. Doris will be joining her much loved husband, Ken, and dear children, Karen and David.
She will be missed by her wonderful friends and many nieces and nephews. Doris was the last survivor of her nine brothers and sisters.
She many times said, “I’ve had a wonderful life.”
Doris was born in Kincaid, West Virginia in 1923, the fourth of 10 children. She graduated from high school in 1941 and worked in an ammunition factory in North Carolina. She was working in the Norfolk Navy Yard when she joined the Women’s Army Corps in 1944. “I wanted to see the world…and I thought I had more to do than stay at home.” After basic training she has a short administrative tour at Wright Field, Ohio before being assigned to the 13th Air Force Statistical Control Division. She served 8 months in New Guinea tracking aircraft parts. “I didn’t see any action, but we were surrounded by Japanese and had bomb scares at night.” Her last assignment was in Manila where she did administrative work until the war ended.
It was there that she met Kenneth Rufener. They married in June 1946. They were blessed with two children, Karen and David. Their family moved to Westlake Village in 1967.
Doris was very active in every aspect of community life - homeowner’s association, women’s service clubs, and athletic associations among others. She was a member of the Westlake Women’s Club and longtime volunteer in her church. In 1986, she was named Woman of The Year by Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce and in 1994 was honored as Patriotic Citizen of The Year by Military Order of the World Wars.
Doris could be found cheering for Ohio State and the Cincinnati Reds or baking and entertaining for her friends and organizations.
Doris served her family, her community, and her country with love and honor. She will be missed.
A graveside service will be held to put Doris to rest at 10:00 Friday, July 1 at Valley Oak - Griffen Memorial Park.
A joyous event to celebrate her life will be in August (date to be determined) at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
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