March 10, 1932 – September 16, 2026
Doris Ann Heiser passed away on September 16, 2026. She was born on March 10, 1932, at home near Pembina, North Dakota, sixth of twelve children born to Alexander and Lena (Krishka) Layhon.
Doris grew up in a two-bedroom farmhouse near Pembina, where she attended and graduated from Pembina High School in 1950. She often told stories of the many Red River floods, playing games with all her siblings and of course running from the Sudokahes. Doris attended Mercy School of Nursing in Valley City, North Dakota, earning her nursing degree in 1956 and beginning her career at Mercy Hospital.
On the Fourth of July in 1957, Doris met Raymond Heiser on a blind date arranged by Ray’s brother, Jim. A picnic and a dance set the tone, and they were married on November 23, 1957, a marriage of 68 years that grew into a family that was the center of their lives. Doris moved to Geneva, Illinois, with Ray in 1957, where Ray owned and managed Duke and Ray’s Garage.
In 1959 Doris and Ray moved back to North Dakota where they purchased land and a farmstead north of Verona. While Ray took to farming, Doris reengaged her nursing skills at LaMoure Hospital and Oakes Good Samaritan Nursing Home. She often worked the evening shifts so she could manage her second job – holding the house together. Once the older kids could help out, she shifted to daytime work. But we can all remember falling asleep to the sound of a shampooer or vacuum running half the night and the furniture in different places come morning.
Over the next 50 years Doris and Ray raised livestock, grains, gardens, pets, and of course kids. And not just their own, Doris’s big heart was always taking in strangers, neighbors, exchange students and cousins – the more the better. Doris also learned how to drive, and she did such a good job at it she was promoted to the combine.
Doris retired from her nursing career in 2004, but not after 53 dedicated years. But her role as a caregiver never really ended as she was the first person you called for medical advice, a bandage, a stich, a home remedy, or simply a hug. She was also the first to tell you that you need to go see a doctor—and the last one to go herself.
Doris cherished her Ukrainian heritage. She taught many of the children and grandchildren how to make Pedaheh and Holubtsi. She always displayed Ukrainian eggs and embroidery and regularly attended the Ukrainian Festival in Dickinson.
If you were ever in Doris’s house, you were going to eat and drink coffee. Period. Her asking whether you were hungry was simply a rhetorical question. Doris was always cooking or baking something, perhaps because there were so many mouths to feed
and she was really good at it, or, more likely, because nurturing and taking care of people was simply part of who she was.
Doris had a creative side, too. She loved to craft, write, help put on plays, and sing. Whether it was orchestrating grandkids to perform Christmas skits at home or helping with the local bicentennial pageant, she was always finding ways to create something to
share with others. She rarely missed someone’s birthday, anniversary, holiday or special occasion with a gift or card.
Doris loved to garden and spent her summers tending both vegetable and flower gardens. She was especially pleased that her tradition of canning foods has been passed down to many of her children and grandchildren.
Doris and Ray also shared a love of travel. They spent many winters in Texas in their motorhome, where they made lifelong friendships with people from across the country. Together they traveled countless miles, visiting family, friends, states and parks. Doris was
never found in the front seat, and more often than not could be heard yelling, “Raymond slow down!”
Her faith was an important part of her life. She was an active member of St. Raphael’s Church, where she found countless ways to serve. She made banners for the altar and walls, decorated for seasonal events, cleaned, helped plan the church bazaars, taught Catechism, and welcomed new priests. How many times did we hear, “You kids
behave for a change, Father is coming over for dinner after church”.?
Doris was also a member of the Lady’s Legion Auxiliary, an active PTO member, and involved in PTO plays. She organized support for neighbors in need, often putting together care packages for those who could use a little help.
Over the years, Doris also became a cat-lady. She loved her kitties and was often putting food on the back deck for a dozen cats and an occasional skunk. She even got Ray to warm up to them, and not just for target practice.
But perhaps Doris’s greatest gift was the way she made people feel. She remembered the important things. She made sure people were fed. She gave you a little something even if you didn’t ask. She welcomed people into her home and made them part of the family. She cared for people professionally for more than five decades, but she cared for people personally every day of her life.
Doris is survived by her children, Katherine (Kent) Plessner, Christine Heiser, Gerald (Cynthia) Heiser, Dorothy (Tony) Martinez, Theresa (Gary Meyer) Heiser, Mischelle (My) Highman, JoAnne (Dan) Jacobson, Alex (Nancy) Heiser; 24 grandchildren, 29 greatgrandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren. Sisters Annie Bergh, Helen Weleske and Margaret Mattson. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Mike, John and Alex Layhon; and sisters Mary Bordeniuk, Katherine Klegstad, Rose Younggren, Sophie Zaharia, and Barbara Hagen.
Doris especially loved her big family gatherings. Nothing mattered more to her than seeing everyone together. Serving special Ukrainian meals, running in the yard looking for Easter eggs, opening Christmas gifts for hours on end, singing, lighting off fireworks and playing crazy games. Everyone enjoying each other’s company, and kids sleeping in all corners of the house who just wouldn’t settle down. All with no fighting, griping or arguing, “I said no arguing…enough…stifle!”.
She believed in living, loving, forgiving, and enjoying what you have. She wanted her family to take care of each other, to forgive each other, and to enjoy the time they have together. Her message was simple and one she carried throughout her life – drive safe, watch out for deer and let it ring once: “Keep the Peace.”
Prayer Service, Visitation and Funeral will be at St. Charles Catholic Church, Oakes ND
Prayer Service will be September 20, 2026 From :00 to :00
Visitation will be September 21, 2026 from :00 to :00
Funeral Service will be September 21, 2026 at :00 (lunch to follow)
Burial Service at Verona Catholic Cemetery 3:00 pm
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