Doreen J. Parker, age 86, a resident of Hoquiam, passed away on Jan. 8, 2018, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital. Doreen was born on April 18, 1931, in Harvey, N.D. to Reinold and Josephine (Furubotten) Melhoff. In 1941 her family moved to Hoquiam where she was raised with her two sisters JoAnn and Carolyn. Doreen attended Hoquiam schools and graduated from Grays Harbor College in 1971.

Doreen was employed with the Department of Social and Health Services and retired in 1993. Doreen was very active in community organizations. She was a lifetime member of Saron Lutheran Church and Grays Harbor Sons of Norway Lodge. She was the original organizer of the Adult Heritage Retreats at the Sons of Norway Trollhaugen Lodge and she also cooked at the youth camps for Sons of Norway for 20 years. Doreen served on the board of the Hoquiam Senior Center and was a member of XI Epsilon Chapter and Grandmothers Club.

Doreen enjoyed cooking for family gatherings and for various functions at the many organizations she was involved with.

Doreen loved to travel and made many trips to North Dakota and Norway to visit family and friends.

Doreen was well known for her great sense of humor and her willingness to help everyone with social gatherings or projects.

Doreen is survived by her five children: Karen (Mike) Stites, Billy (Chris) Hicks, Karla (Mark) Johnson, Roy (Abe) (Maureen) McClure and Karri (Jim) Oeder; her sisters JoAnn (James) Ray and Carolyn (Robert) Enzler. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Doreens passing was preceded by her parents and a brother, Robert who died at infancy.

Doreens family would like to thank the entire staff at Pacific Care in Hoquiam for their excellent professional services and compassionate care. In addition, they would like to acknowledge the staff in the ER and ICCU at Grays Harbor Community Hospital.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, at Saron Lutheran Church located at 8th and M St. in Hoquiam Wash.

Charitable contributions may be made in Doreens name to Saron Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 517 Hoquiam, WA 98550 or District 2 Sons of Norway Sofie/Olsen scholarship Vicki Nelson, 8724 209th PL SW Edmonds, WA 98026.

Doreen was a wonderful mother, sister, grandparent, aunt, friend and all around nice lady and she will be missed forever by her family and friends.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Coleman Mortuary of Hoquiam, Wash.

Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net.