Doris Ilene Desbien, 88, died October 29, 2018, at Dawson Place Nursing Home, Hill City, Kansas.

She was born June 23, 1930 on a farm near Penokee, Kansas to Russell M. and Agnes A. (Garrison) Overturf. She married Harvey A. Desbien June 15, 1948, in Damar. To this union two daughters were born: Debbie and Susanne.

Doris was a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, great grandma and friend. Anyone who was around Doris, even for a short time, knew she was full of fun and yet didn’t put up with any nonsense. She called it exactly like it was! She definitely did things her way. She had a hard time pronouncing her great granddaughter’s name, but not to worry, she just nicknamed her Coco, a name that has stuck. By the way, you never called Doris during a KU basketball game, or if you did, she wouldn’t answer the phone. Her grandchildren’s school activities were very important to her and she was always in the stands cheering them on.

She especially enjoyed April Fool’s Day, Susie recalled that one April 1st as they were eating supper, Doris yelled that one of the cars was on fire! She had everyone jumping up at once. Doris did not like to cook. Therefore, it was left up to Harvey to prepare the meals. Doris loved her family unconditionally and especially enjoyed the holidays with them. However, Amy recalls that after big holiday dinners, she and Grandma always got stuck doing the dishes. They decided that one of these years they would go to Jamaica for the holiday and get out of doing dishes. It became a running joke every year. They never made it to Jamaica but did start using paper plates!

Doris was so fortunate to always live close to her kids and grandchildren. When they were young, Grandma was the one in charge of haircuts. She must have been very good at giving perms too. When Amy was about five, she admired her perm in the mirror and said, “Oh Grandma, I look just like an angel.” Doris loved it and reminded Amy of that often.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey and daughter Debbie Kaiser. Survivors include: her daughter, Susanne Bell and husband Gaylen of Bogue; a sister Norma Adams of Bogue; four grandchildren: Darcy Kaiser, Darin Kaiser and (Tiffany VanAusdale), Amy Bell Roeder and (Dani), B.J. Bell and wife Emily; and nine great grandchildren.

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