Doris Jean Norell

Doris Norell passed away peacefully at her home on September 18 surrounded by her family. She was 86 years old. Doris was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The first-born of five children, Doris completed her bachelor's degree at the University of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota in the field of social work. She married Dennis Norell in 1951. As an Army wife, she lived across the US and around the world, settling in Colorado Springs where she resided the past 38 years. Doris put her degree to practice at Silver Key Senior Services, where she actively cared for the elderly and upon her retirement, continued to give back to the organization in several volunteer capacities. She also volunteered at St. Paul's Catholic Church in many roles. Her passion was taking care of the poor. She managed the food shelf efforts and also worked in the soup kitchen. She continued to foster her interest in antiques through her antique club, her love of learning through literature classes and her creativity through quilting. She continued to travel throughout her life, visiting places on her bucket list, such as New Zealand and the Holy Land, in addition to visiting her children who had developed wanderlust and lived in locations like Hawaii, Germany, England and Minnesota.

She is survived by children Susan Courteau (Frank), Barbara Norell Zinck (Wolf Dietrich), Mark Norell, Mary Haske (Terry), and Betsy Schneider (Mark), in addition to grandchildren Alexandra and Richard Zinck, Emily and Alex Norell and Zach and Danni Schneider, brother Del Kresl (Ro) and sister Rita Michaletz (Dick) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. She is preceded in death by her husband Denny, her parents, two brothers and grandson Peter Zinck.

Doris’ life will be celebrated on Friday, September 26th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 9 El Pomar Rd., Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Memorial contributions may be made to Smile Train, PO Box 96231, Washington, D.C. 20090-6231 or Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill St., Colorado Springs, CO 80906.

Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors, Colorado Springs, CO.