Doris Jean Abrahamson
Astoria Dec. 29, 1922 — Feb. 17, 2017
Doris Jean Abrahamson was born on the family farm in Miller, Kansas, on Dec. 29, 1922, the first child of Albert and Florence Swanson Fager. She had a wonderful childhood growing up in the small community with both sides of her family. She attended school in Miller, graduating from high school in 1940.
After graduation she moved to Topeka, attended business college, and worked at the Capitol building in the state library. Her parents, struggling with the farm, made the difficult decision to leave their lives in Kansas and move west to Everett, Washington, where there was work. Doris made the life-changing decision to come with them.
Doris finished business college in Everett, and then went to work for Puget Sound Power and Light Co. Doris met Edwin Abrahamson at church, and they were married on June 14, 1947, in Everett. Doris and Ed had two children, Kathryn and Craig. In 1957, Ed was transferred to Astoria as an accountant with New England Fish Co. Two years later, Ed was transferred back to Seattle. Instead of accepting the transfer, Ed quit his job so the family could continue to live in the community that they all had fallen in love with.
Doris became the secretary at Capt. Robert Gray, where her children attended school. In 1965, she was hired at Tongue Point Job Corps as administrative assistant to the director, retiring in 1985.
Doris and Ed loved spending as much time as they could at their beach house in Cannon Beach. They also took as many trips as they could, both in the U.S. and abroad, before Ed’s passing in 1990. Doris was never one to sit idly. She was an active member of the Lutheran Church all her life, participating in the choir, various committees and the women’s organization. She was active in PTA, a Girl Scout leader, a Pink Lady at Columbia Hospital, served at Loaves and Fishes and helped organize several grief support groups. She belonged to the senior center, and went to the exercise class three days a week up until November, when she had a stroke. She loved visiting with her friends, especially her dear friend, Violet Olsen.
Doris is survived by her daughter, Kathy, and son-in-law Lanny Freeman of Astoria; son, Craig, and daughter-in-law, Sarah, of Vancouver; and grandchildren Chris, Jon, Bianca and Max. She also is survived by many loving members of the Abrahamson, Fager, Swanson and Seeborg families.
Interment is private.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, at Peace Lutheran Church. A reception will follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, 565 12th St., Astoria, OR 97103.
Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. And online guest book may be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com
