Doris Eleanor Neel

Doris E. Neel died September 25th, at her home in Vancouver, Washington with her oldest son at her side. She was born September 23, 1930 in Havre, Montana. She is the daughter of Alm and Thelma Arntzen. She attended the one room Miller country school until the 6th grade before moving to a ranch at Hilger where she attended school in Lewistown graduating from Fergus County High School in 1947. She attended the University of Montana in Missoula and was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority. She graduated in 1951 with a BA in Home Economics & Business. She taught High School, Home Economics in Laurel and Conrad, Montana. She then worked for the Pure Oil Company as secretary to the manager before moving to Richland, Washington to return to teaching Home Economics. She was forced to return to Montana to care for her mother leaving Richland at Christmas. They spent the winter together in Tucson, Arizona before moving her mother off the ranch to a house in Lewistown for health reasons. The grocery store right behind her mother's house is where Bill was helping his folks open their business. They had their first date, August 7th, and were married September 7th,1955. They had eloped. Their first child Carla was born June 20th of 1956, Mark in 1959, Krista in 1964, and twins Craig and Scott in 1968. They opened their first business in May 1956. It was an A&W Root Beer, Drive Inn. They expanded it to a full family Restaurant adding a large formal a dining room in 1960. They operated it for 12 years before selling to move to Vancouver, Washington. There they opened a Broasted Chicken Cafe & Carryout in 1969. Bill was Regional Sales Distributor for the Broaster Company of Chicago. In 1971 they sold the restaurant and purchased Briarheath Dog collars and Tucker Leather in Portland, Oregon. In 1976 they moved that business to Vancouver, Washington to their own larger building and changed the name to Neel & Sons Leather Goods. They operated Neel & Sons until 1980 when health reasons forced Bill's retirement and they sold the business. They invested in real estate and together built and remodeled properties for the rental income which provided for her care to the time of her death. Doris was involved in her children and grandchildren's activities attending school programs, baseball, basketball, and soccer games, as well as concert and awards ceremonies. She has scrapbooks stuffed full of family announcements and events from continuing contacts with people she connected with at each stage of her life. She was civic minded, a Precinct Committee Person active in supporting issues and Republican candidates in creative and effective ways. One of her memorable moments was participating in Senator Linda Smith write in campaign. She loved attending Church at First Evangelical in Vancouver and playing bridge, golf and other activities at Fairway Village. She is survived by her five children, Carla (Jack) Thoreson. Mark (Sherri) Neel, Krista Neel, Scott (Renee) Neel, and Craig Neel; Her eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 50 years, Bill; her brother Kenneth and her sister Helen. A viewing will be held on Sunday, October 6th from 12:00-9:00 p.m. with a memorial service on Monday, October 7th, at 12:30 p.m., at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver, WA, A reception in the hospitality room will follow from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Please sign her guest book @ www.columbian.com/obits

Doris Eleanor Neel

September 23, 1930 - September 25, 2019