Doreen Alexander
Doreen (McKenzie) Alexander of Polson passed away on July 22 after a recent illness. Born in Canada on January 5, 1929 in Elbow, Saskatchewan to immigrant parents, just in time for the Great Depression where her early years were spent with her family working various farms in the province. She often travelled to the one room school house either by horse or in the winter time by sleigh keeping a watchful eye out for hungry wolves.
She finished her education by correspondence school and then went in to Prince Albert to a business college. She said she had to go into business because she knew she would be a terrible secretary because she hated shorthand. She worked at a clothing store when she met a skinny sailor named Harold from River Street who she spent the next 51 years.
Their first apartment was over a chicken hatchery and 8 years later, over the protests of their families, packed up their son as and moved to Polson. They ran a print shop called AC Printers and Doreen worked for Helmer and Harris, the local Chevrolet Dealer. She wasn’t fond of Polson at first and spent her first days with the drapes closed. Being raised on the prairie the mountains and lake made her feel claustrophobic. She soon got over it and was instrumental in the fund-raising for the new wing of the Polson hospital. They later packed up their two sons and had a brief stint in Olympia, WA and then Glasgow, MT.
Harold came home one night and told Doreen he wanted to buy a business back in Polson. So in 1964 they started a string of successful businesses on Main St. First there was the “Malt Shop” across from the movie theatre. To her dying day she said she could smell hamburger cooking every time she heard a Beach Boys song. Then the “Hut Café” at the north end of Main St and finally, her dream business. She bought Pearce’s Style Shoppe, moved it to 210 Main St and renamed it Doreen’s Fashions. She went to market and bought clothes with certain customers in mind, then would phone them when the garment came in and it usually went home with the customer. She also saved many a harried husband on Christmas Eve who rushed in at the last minute. In between she was active as Treasurer of the Polson Museum, Lady Shrine Lady Elks and bowled a frame or two.
They built a home on the lake and liked nothing more than to watch the moon come up over the Mission Mountains. After they retired (much too early for her liking) they wintered in Arizona and summered in the Flathead and snuck in a few weeks in Hawaii. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren voraciously. She enjoyed bowling trips with the girls, camping, a cup of coffee with a cigarette, her flowers, crossword puzzles, a game of scrabble, a good cribbage game, a cocktail and dropping a dollar or two in a slot machine.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two sisters and a brother. She is survived by her loving sons Terry (Donna) Alexander, Seattle; Tom (MaryAnn) Alexander, Butte; grandchildren Kim (Tom) Maloney, Stanwood, WA; Chanel (Tim) Lake, Polson; Jeffrey Alexander and Brian Alexander, Seattle; Corey (Carol) McGreevey, Butte; and Mac Alexander, Butte; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Janet Hanson and a brother Jim (Betty) McKenzie; brother-in-law Allan (Gladys) Alexander and sister-in-law Fran Currie and many nieces and nephews of Canada.
Visitation will be at Grogan Funeral home on Tuesday, July 27, from 3 to 8 PM with funeral services at the First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, July 28 ,at 10 AM in Polson. Interment will follow a Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, mom would appreciate a donation to the Lady Elk’s Scholarship fund (C/O Gracie Schumacher 104 6th Ave. East Polson, MT 59860) to help young ladies start their careers or to the charity of your choice. Condolences to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
What a shock to see that Doreen has been taken from us!! Mom’s are such a vital part to our grasp on the world and your mom was a great example of fun along with a great work ethic. Doreen was always an encouragement to me and a bright spot in my day.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Terry and Tom,
Remembering many, many laughs with the two of them. I’m very sad for you.
Jeanie
Please accept my condolences on Doreen’s passing.
My condolences on the loss of your Mom. I enjoyed reading the article in the Missoulian, and it was great to see her wonderful smile. She was so full of life and energy, and I know she will be missed.
Maren
Warm wishes go out to you and your family during this difficult time. No one knows how you truly feel, but my sincere sympathy is extended. Your mother will live on forever through memories of the fun and good times you shared. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care,
Diane
Tom,
We are so vey sorry for your loss. I know how much your mom meant to you. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill, Meagan, Katie & Ryan
To all of Doreen’s family –
This was quite the special lady to our little town! She and your Dad were a few of the ‘backbones’ that helped make Polson the homey town it was! I spent hours and hours in your mother’s store growing up, waiting for my mother or aunt to find the ‘perfect dress’ for the dance at the Elks or Ranch, for the upcoming weekend. Your mother always managed to bring in those perfect dresses for the local ladies….then, when I grew up, it was my turn to buy from her. She always had kind words and a smile for everyone who walked into her shop, or she saw on the street. God bless your family. Heaven is a little better dressed, now.
I was saddened to hear of the loss of your mom, Tom and Terry. I remember my “Auntie” Doreen fondly for her easy laugh and humorous way of seeing things others took too seriously. I remember how comforting it felt as a young girl coming to your house. If our Moms were playing Scrabble(which was often) all was right with the world. I missed her and your family when you moved away. Every time i walked past that little house on the corner I wished i could still go inside and feel the warmth and love that had made me proud to be part of your family. I can still hear her laugh today.I take comfort knowing she had two wonderful sons who gave her the love she deserved until the very end. In peace, Janice
Dear Tommy and Terry and families,
We’re so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I will always remember “Auntie Deen” for her fancy dresses and wonderful burgers! She was a lovely soul and I have many great memories of times past.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers,
Much Love,
Derril, Jennifer and William McKenzie
Kelowna, BC, Canada
Terry and Tom…
Please know that I am thinking of you and your families during this diffucult time. I am so happy that I had the chance to visit with Aunty Doreen a few times, Even though distance was sometimes a challange we did have a chance to visit. A trip to Montana was very special as I got to meet alot of family !! and I also remember dancing with her and my mom in Keremous…..
I am sending my love and thinking of you all, take care and know that you will have your memories
xoxox Karyn Heit
Tom, Maryann & family,
We are so sorry about your Mom.
Doreen was one very special person and will be deeply missed.
We will miss the visits that we had with her and will treasure the last visit.
She truely was a very unique lady.
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
Much love,
Tom & Mara
Dear Tom and Terry and families,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences on Doreen’s passing. When we moved up to
Polson in 1983 and next door to Harold and Doreen, they were the kindest and most
welcoming people we had ever met. They were always quick to come over or welcome
us over to their house and we quickly became friends, even though we were no
doubt “kids” to them.There is probably not enough room on this page to talk about all the
kindnesses they extended our way as we melded into a new community. Our thoughts
and prayers are with you at this time of loss. Both your parents were wonderful folks.
Best wishes,
Brian and Kim
Terry, Tommy and families
It is with great sadness that I write this note to you. The world has lost a beautiful woman. I will always remember Aunty Doreen for her style, perfect hair, business sense but mostly her loving attitude and her smile. She always had time to say hello and mostly to listen. I have always felt honored to have been named after such a beautiful person, and have grown up hoping that I could become even half the woman she was. As our Aunts and Uncles are passing on it makes me hope that us cousins can stay in touch and not let so many years pass without visits. My family and I send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family….love you all
Tom,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Your Mom was such a great lady and will be missed by all. I will let Mom know of her passing, she will be sad as we are.
What a wonderful lady. I have such fond memories of Harold & Doreen as they gave me my very first job…. at the ‘Hut’. Loved them both to pieces….
Harold was great friends of ‘Big’ Jack.
Hard to believe that time passes so quickly, it seems like yesterday.
Konnie Ellenwood
Dear Terry and Tom,
Was sorry to see you lost your beautiful mother. We’ll never forget the day you arrived in our Polson Schools, you fit right in!
As for our parents, they were great friends–my Mother, Florence Newgard, treasured their card games & many cocktail hours together. I will always remember their relationship, and you can better believe they are renewing it right now! My heart is breaking because these wonderful women are no longer with us, I am selfish & miss them so much.
I will never forget her.
K.B.
I grieve with you for an aunt I knew from pictures and Christmas gifts received as a child.
Fran is very sick with a cold right now but I know that she is thinking of Doreen’s family and would like to send her condolences.
Vicki for Fran