Obituary of Doris Ann Rieder Harmer

Please click on the link to view the Livestream of Doris service. 

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/2755660620

Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother joyfully entered Heaven on Wednesday, May 3, 2023; Doris was lovingly embraced by her Savior, Jesus Christ, and many loved ones waiting beyond the veil!

Doris was born on March 2, 1937, in Colton, South Dakota, to Gottfred Rieder and Esther Louise Skinner (Rieder). She grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Doris met Gerald Lee Harmer at her cousin, Kathleen’s on Riverside. It was love at first sight! She married Gerald on October 17, 1952, in Luverne, Minnesota. They raised six children- four daughters and two sons.

Doris and Gerald rode a Harley Davidson to the South Dakota Black Hills early in their marriage; family vacations followed to Northern Minnesota, Yellowstone, Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, Black Hills, and Colorado. She hated fishing!

Doris had many jobs during her long work life. As a teen, she was a car-hop, and worked at Lewis Drug in Sioux Falls. Doris also worked at the Golden Rule Bakery, Sears Catalogue Department, and Ace Hardware Store. She and her husband, Gerald, owned several rental properties in Sioux Falls and Larchwood, Iowa. Doris managed the properties and worked very hard alongside her husband to maintain them until Gerald’s death in 2015. She finally sold the properties and moved to Boise, Idaho in September of 2017.

Doris loved gardening! Flowers of all kinds always adorned her yard. She enjoyed making beautiful silk flower arrangements for weddings and other happy events. Give her a piece of driftwood and it became an amazing centerpiece or collectable.

Doris loved God and Jesus Christ. She was an active member of the Riverside Presbyterian and Wild Flower Presbyterian Churches most of her adult life. She attended Bible study every Wednesday as a member of the Dorcas Circle for 50 years.  Doris chose to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on July 28, 2018. She remained faithful to her Savior her entire life.

Her most amazing adventure was visiting Austria, Switzerland, and Paris. She got to see the original Rieder farmhouse in Lenk, Switzerland!

Grateful to call her, Mother, are, Christine Bateman (Bob) West Jordan, Utah; Julie Bartunek, Boise, Idaho; Lynn Scott (James), Boise; Rick Harmer, Missouri; Jill Darling (Andy) Chipley, Florida; and Darrell Harmer (Mary), Savage, Minnesota. She has 18 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and 15 great-great grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her Parents, husband Gerald, brothers, Don Billings and Edward Rieder, one great granddaughter, Jasmine; and many extended family members whom she lovingly cared for.