Doris Loretta Haworth was born to Niles Edward Haworth and Letha Loretta (Robertson) Haworth in Downs, Kansas on February 5, 1940. The family moved to Wichita in 1941. Doris graduated from Wichita North High School in 1958. After graduation, Doris worked at Mr. D’s IGA grocery store in Wichita, and attended Friends University in Wichita.
While attending Wichita First Church of the Nazarene, Doris sang in the choir, helped with teen classes, and was in the young adults Sunday school class, where she met Dean Harder. They were married July 20, 1962. Their first son Dean was born to the couple in 1963, followed by David in 1966, and then Dan in 1968. Doris and Dean joined Bethany Evangelical Free Church shortly after moving to Littleton, Colorado, and have been active members ever since.
Doris is remembered for giving of herself to others. She wore many hats over her lifetime, including devoted wife, mother, aunt, foster parent and grandmother, nursery coordinator, room mother, Cub Scout den mother, day care mother, blood drive coordinator and family reunion organizer. Doris was also well known for canning and baking. Her pickles, relish and homemade bread were superb, and she was eager to share her skills, teaching many how to make jellies, jams, and canned goods over the years.
After her diagnosis with pulmonary fibrosis, Doris’s focus changed to encouraging others who had the disease, as well as raising awareness about it. Doris frequently colored her hair blue and encouraged others to wear blue on Fridays to raise awareness of pulmonary fibrosis. Through a local support group and social media groups, Doris’s faith and strength were an inspiration to countless caregivers, family members and those experiencing the disease personally around the world. Doris’s final birthday wish was an online fundraiser for pulmonary fibrosis research.
Doris went to be with the Lord on February 4, 2019 surrounded by her family, three hours short of her 79th birthday. Doris was preceded in death by her parents Niles and Letha Haworth, her brother Niles Haworth Jr., and her sister Deloras Lucas. She is survived by her loving husband Dean Harder, brother Will Haworth, sons Dean (Tammy), David (Lou Ann) and Dan (Amy) Harder, grandchildren Garret, Sara, Weston, Abby, Zach, Logan and Caleb Harder, as well as many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and foster children, all of whom she loved dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation for Doris' birthday wish at https://www.facebook.com/donate/2006503319436007/ or, after February 8th to https://secure.qgiv.com/for/pulfibfou/.
