Doris May Pixler

Funeral Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, at Warner Chapel in Spencer for Doris May Pixler, 91, of Spencer and formerly of West Okoboji.

Rev. Paul Hansen officiated. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer.

Doris May Gardner was born to Harry and Barbara Daisy (Bock) Gardner on March 16, 1918, in Sargent, Neb. She moved at a young age to Erickson, Neb., where she attended elementary through high school. She attended Grand Island Business College for two years, where she met Ivan G. Pixler of Pierson, Iowa. They married June 9, 1938, and moved to Spencer. There they lived, until moving year-round to West Okoboji in 1964. They retired back to Spencer in 1994.

Doris was a member of Grace United Methodist Church her whole life in Iowa. She had been a leader of both Boy and Girl Scout troops, and served for 25 years with the South Dickinson County Community Fund as well as a stint delivering Meals on Wheels.

Doris loved to garden and she loved being on the lake, sharing it with family and friends. She was open to new ideas and saw much of life as an adventure, wanting to "see everything." She and her husband loved to travel, visiting the 50 states and 6 continents. They combined travel and service to do several Methodist Nomads missions. They had four children and five grandchildren who brought her great joy.

Mrs. Pixler was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, both her sisters (Ferne and Dorothy), and both her brothers (Floyd and Arvid). She is survived by her children: Barbara (Richard) Gielow of Traverse City, Mich., Ivan (Patti) Pixler of Custer, S.D., Penny Pixler of Chicago, and Janis (Tom) Lindsey of Bailey, Colo. Also by five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and five nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Jeff Glinter, Richard Affleck, Bill Fields and Guy Pixler. Honorary bearers were Jim Anderson, Tom Lindsey, Andrew Affleck and Richard Gielow.

Warner Funeral Home of Spencer was in charge of the arrangements.