Doris A. Rowe, age 95, passed away in Fort Benton, MT on October 11, 2023.  Doris and her twin sister, Deloris, were born on August 2, 1928, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to Swedish immigrants Albin and Amy Bloomquist. Upon completion of high school, Doris traveled with her siblings to Montana in search of summer jobs. It was there, while working as a cook at the Harris Ranch near Highwood, that she met Alfred Rowe, and they were soon married on December 31, 1946.  They welcomed daughters Elaine and Nancy to the family, and when the girls reached school age they moved to Fort Benton. Doris began her many years of teaching piano to students in the community.  Her daughters Barbara and Amy were born during this time.  Alfred accepted a job at the Woodcock Ranch near Shonkin in the fall of 1963, the family moved to the mountains and Doris began teaching lessons in Highwood. She did this for many years, and for a time also taught elementary music and choir at the school. Other than summer breaks, Doris taught for more than 55 years. Between all her school students and private students, Alfred loved to joke that Doris gave wedding and baby gifts to everyone in the county.

Doris was always a diligent worker. She would get the kids ready for school, head off to teach, and already have a meal prepared for lunch for Alfred and any hired men helping on the ranch.  She kept an immaculate house, beautifully groomed flower gardens, and grew a large vegetable garden each summer.  She was an amazing cook, a fine seamstress, and still found time to welcome visitors. She especially enjoyed when her family could spend a few days on the ranch, and it became a favorite destination of many. The addition of grandchildren and great-grandchildren enriched Doris and Alfred's lives.

Following Alfred's retirement, they stayed in the area and helped raise their granddaughter Jenny as she completed high school before they eventually moved back to Fort Benton and adjusted to "city life".  Doris continued teaching and taking part in the community. She especially loved volunteering at the Fort Benton Visitors' Center where she enjoyed visiting with tourists from a variety of interesting places.

As a committed Christian, Doris's faith was of utmost importance to her and she was a long time member of the First Christian Church. She served as a pianist/organist, and she and her dear friend, Virginia Bailey, sang for countless weddings and funerals throughout the years.

As Alfred's health declined, Doris was a devoted caregiver. A few years after his death she moved into the Bluffs and eventually her health required that she reside at the Missouri River Medical Center Nursing Home. We are extremely grateful for the love and care she received there. They would allow and even encourage Doris to play the piano, and Doris's love of music seemed to soften the cruelty of her dementia.

Doris is survived by her daughter Nancy Heitzman (Merle) of Fort Benton - grandchildren Aaron Heitzman (Katie) of Belt, Heidi Kleiber (Markus) of Flower Mound, TX and Tiffany Fontenot of Helena; her daughter Barbara Willey (Don) of Tempe, AZ – grandchildren Ryan Willey of Tempe and Kyle Willey of Tempe; and her daughter Amy Brown of Felton, DE – grandchildren Allison Schulties (Jason) of Felton, DE and Alexander Brown of Phoenix, AZ.  A brother, Ralph Bloomquist (Patty) resides in Nampa, ID. Doris is also survived by eight great-grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Alfred, daughter Elaine, Elaine's daughter Jenny, her brothers Merritt, Marvin, and Gordon and her sisters, Deloris and Alice.

Memorial donations may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.