Doris Delaine Ensor

Doris Delaine Ensor, a resident of Davenport, Washington, for over 70 years, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2020, at the age of 94, at Lincoln Hospital where she received excellent care and compassion from the staff during her last month of life.

Doris was born on May 2, 1925, in Happy Valley, near Portland, Oregon, to Elmer and Hazel (Knauss) Zinser. The Zinsers were one of the oldest pioneer families settling in the valley in 1890. She grew up on the family farm where they raised boysenberries, strawberries, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and potatoes. The potatoes were sold to Blue Bell to make chips. She also helped in the raising of grain to feed dairy cows and hundreds of chickens.

Doris attended a one-room school in Happy Valley, having the same teacher for all eight grades, and then graduated from Milwaukie High School in June 1943. She continued to work on the family farm because of the shortage of farm labor during the war.

On a trip to Reardan, Washington, in 1945, to visit her aunt and uncle who pastored the Reardan Evangelical Church (now United Methodist), Doris met Edward Ensor. During the time that they dated, Ed would sometimes fly his dad's airplane to Portland to see her, landing in a nearby field.

The couple was married on June 23, 1948, making their home on a farm near Davenport. Doris took on the role of being a wife and homemaker, and they brought up four children-three daughters and a son. During the next 42 years they raised wheat and barley. They had milk cows and chickens and grew a huge vegetable and flower garden. Doris drove harvest truck for over 22 years. She also enjoyed sewing and made a lot of her daughters' clothes until they were old enough to make their own.

Doris was very active in their church, teaching Sunday School and Bible School, and was financial secretary for 17 years. She was also treasurer for the American Cancer Society for both Lincoln and Adams County and was involved in clubs in the Davenport, Mondovi, and Reardan communities.

Ed and Doris had a passion for traveling. Their trips have taken them to all seven continents of the world including Antarctica. They went on numerous cruises and did a motorhome trip through Alaska. In the later years many of their adventures were by chartered bus which continued up to the time Doris totally lost her eyesight four years ago. On a special anniversary they would plan a trip with their children and eventually grandchildren. Some of the destinations included Hawaii, Disneyland, and a cruise to Alaska.

Over a ten-year period, the couple designed and built a retirement home in Davenport. They lived in that house for over 24 years, with Ed and Doris hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the family every year. In February 2015 they moved to a unit in the Davenport Retirement Village.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Alton Zinser of Happy Valley, Oregon. Besides her husband Ed, she is survived by her children, Vicki (Jerry) Yonally of McMinnville, Oregon, Doug (Patti) Ensor of Davenport, Washington, Debbie (Jim) Llewellyn of Wilbur, Washington, and Sherri (Jeff) Ropp of Davenport, Washington, along with 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Reardan United Methodist Church (PO Box 186, Reardan, WA 99029) or Lincoln Hospital Foundation (10 Nicholls Street, Davenport, WA 99122). A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at the Reardan United Methodist Church, 155 South Oak Street. Fond memories and expression of sympathy for the Ensor family may be shared at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com.