Lydia Alma Doering

Lydia “Gigs” Doering passed away on July 31, 2011 at the age of 106.  She was born June 16, 1905 in Ellendale, ND, the youngest of ten children of Friedrich and Augusta Zinter.  Gigs was full of life and love for everyone she met and to those who knew her she became a source of inspiration and friendship.  Her ability to make friends was underscored on her 106^th birthday by an answer she gave to a TV reporter’s question about the secret of her advanced age.  She said it was simply friends and to have good friends you have to be one!  Sage advice from this remarkable lady.

Lydia began her teaching career in a North Dakota country school at the tender age of 17.  She later attended and graduated from Ellendale Normal in 1926 with a degree in home economics.  At that point she accepted a teaching job in Belfield, ND where she would also meet the love of her life Harwood “Hod” Doering.  They were married on August 16, 1930 and had two children, Helen and Harwood.

They moved to American Falls in 1938 where Hod accepted a position with the School District.  After a short stint in Hansen ID and in Oregon, they settled permanently in American Falls in 1944 when Hod returned to become Superintendent of Schools.

Beyond raising her family here she was involved in a host of church and community roles.   Many people in the Falls will recall her as their Sunday School teacher at St. John’s.  Her countless other activities included a tenure on the Library Board, active memberships in the PEO sisterhood, a hobby club, bridge club, and the Senior Center.  Later there would be bingo, cards, and other activities at her Spring Creek Manor home.  Symbolic of her zest for life she celebrated her 100^th birthday with a tour of the town on the back of her Godson’s motorcycle.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hod, her great grandson, Sean Michael, and her nine siblings.  Surviving her are her two children and their families.  Helen’s family consists of her husband, Don Nielson, four children David (Julie), Richard (Tracy), Sandra (Jeff), and Greg (Izabel), and four grandchildren, Olivia, Deanna, Sean, and Chloe.  Harwood’s family includes his wife Mary, two children, Robert (Lisa) and Pamela (Brian), and grandchildren, Eric, Julie, Kimberly, and Rebecca.

Celebration of her life will begin with a public viewing on Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Davis-Rose Mortuary, 170 Idaho Street, American Falls, Idaho, and on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tyhee and Tyler, in American Falls. The Funeral Service will start at 10:30 a.m. at the church, and interment will follow at Falls View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations are requested to a charity she was fond of, Hope House, Inc. in Marsing ID. in care of St. John’s Lutheran Church, PO Box 55, American Falls, ID 83211.  Condolences may be posted on our website at davisrosemortuary.com.