Obituary of Theresa Marie Dorris

In Memory of Theresa Marie Dorris

Theresa Marie Dorris, nee Madsen, was born July 24, 1953 in Nampa, ID to Lenard J. and Ina Jean Madsen. She passed away on January 28, 2020 in the company of family at the age of 66. She will be forever remembered by her loving husband of 39 years: Patrick “Pat” Dorris; her three daughters and their families: Jackie & Wayne Hurzeler (children: Austin, Cassidy, Colton), Michelle & Brett Rauzi (children: Declan, Ainsley), and Melissa & Tadd Cazier (son: Weston); her four brothers and their spouses: Jay & Colleen Madsen, Andy & Holli Madsen, Carl Madsen, and Charlie & Debbie Madsen. She is also survived by many extended family members, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Theresa, known by most as Terry, was passionate about her family, her church, her community, and athletics. She was devoted to her family, raising three daughters. She enjoyed teaching them how to ski during the winters and taking them hiking and huckleberry hunting during the summers. She was an avid hunter and fisher alongside her husband Pat. She was also a faithful member of Our Lady of the Lake where she discovered her second family. She devoted a lot of her time to the community through her work with the school district. Her teaching and coaching provided her the opportunity to instill the love of athletics in the hearts of many individuals. Her passion for athletics was also expressed through her long bike rides across the valley and later, through her weekly yoga classes.

She was raised on a dairy farm in Meridian, ID with her five brothers. She attended Meridian High School, graduating in 1971. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education from Boise State University in 1975 and went on to teach at Lowell Scott Junior High. She was introduced to her husband-to-be Pat Dorris, by his sister and her best friend Linda. They were married on July 19, 1980. They moved to McCall shortly afterwards where she started teaching for the McCall-Donnelly School District. She began her career at the Junior High School in Donnelly teaching physical education, health, and earth science. She later moved to the Elementary School in McCall where she taught physical education until she retired.  

Terry was Pat’s soul mate for 39 years until the Lord called her home. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She has joined her brother Joe and her parents Lenard and Ina Jean in heaven to watch over us. 

Her family is grateful for the help they have received from the community and the church, especially during these last few years. The outpouring of love and support is a true testament to how much she loved this community and how much they, in turn, loved her. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family is asking that memorial donations be made to the McCall-Donnelly School District Physical Education Department, as this was near and dear to her heart. Donations may be made at Idaho First Bank. 

There will be a funeral mass Saturday February 8, 2020 at 10 in the morning at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. A memorial reception will follow at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School beginning at 12 in the afternoon. The family welcomes any pictures or special memories of Terry to be contributed to their memory box.