Doris Jean (Michalski) Fertig, 75

Doris Jean (Michalski) Fertig, 75, passed away at the Kittson
Memorial Healthcare Center on November 30, 2011 after a 7 year battle
with cancer
Doris was born May 23, 1936, in Minto, ND, to Alex and Sophia
(Gerszewski) Michalski.  She was baptized Delores Eugenia, and
received the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation at Sacred
Heart Catholic Church in Minto.  She was educated in the Minto Public
Schools, graduating in 1954.  Doris attended Mayville State Teachers
College and graduated with a two year Standard Certificate in 1956.
Her teaching career began in a “one-room school” in rural Walsh
County, North Dakota.  After two years she accepted a position
teaching sixth grade in the elementary school in Hallock, Minnesota
where she met her life-long partner, David Fertig.  They were married
on June 20, 1961, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Minto.  To this
union two children were born, Stephanie Jo (Donald) Fournier in 1962
and Larry Alex (Deborah) Fertig in 1964. Doris continued her
education after the children were born by attending summer school at
Bemidji State Teachers College, receiving her degree in elementary
education in 1970.  Doris touched the hearts and minds of hundreds of
young children before her retirement in 1994.
Doris became a life member of the National Education Association, the
Minnesota Education Association, and was very actively involved in
the Hallock Education Association. She willingly gave of her time and
energy as a member of the Kittson County Salvation Army Board where
she served as Treasurer for over 20 years.  She was a very active
member of the Hallock Senior Center which opened in 2001, decorating,
managing weekly Bingo games, delivering Meals on Wheels, and whenever
help was needed.  She was a member of St. Patricks Catholic Church in
Hallock where she served the Ladies Guild as an officer and a very
faithful member and served as a Lector, Commentator, and Lay
Eucharistic Minister at Holy Mass.
Following her husband Dave’s involvement with the Hallock Lions Club
and District 5M11 Doris became a member in 1998.  She served the
Hallock club in many capacities, including Secretary and President
and chaired many committees, including the Children’s Halloween party
for 11 years.  She served as a director of the Minnesota Lions Eye
Bank for six years and the Minnesota Lions Hearing Foundation in
2010.  Her greatest accomplishment as a Lion was serving as District
Governor of District 5M11 in 2006-2007.  Awards she received from
Lions included: District Governor Excellence award, Progressive
Melvin Jones Fellow from LCIF, and a Helen Keller award from the
Minnesota Lions Eye Bank.
Doris is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dave of Hallock,
daughter Stephanie (Donald) Fournier of Shelbuorne Falls, MA, son
Larry (Deborah) Fertig of Walnut Creek, CA; 3 grandchildren Alicia,
Dylan and Christian Fournier; sisters Elsie Klitz, New York, NY,
Marlene Jorgensen of Devils Lake, ND, Vicki (Dean) Flanders of Minto,
ND; Jackie Michalski of Denver, Co and brother Kenneth (Mary)
Mitchell of Tehachapi, CA; sisters-in-law Lillian Michalski Case of
Lisbon, ND, Jean (Gordon) Olson of Warren, MN, Mona Fertig of Hallock
and Theolyn (Eben) Brunton of Olympia, WA and several nieces,
nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Alex & Sophia Michalski,
parents in-law Laurence and Marie Fertig, brother Jerome Michalski,
sister Fran Michalski, brothers-in-law Brian Klitz, Lewis Jorgenson,
and Gordon Olson.
Funeral Services will be held in St Patricks Catholic Church in
Hallock on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with prayer
service on Monday, December  at 7:00 p.m. in St Patricks.
Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Hallock