Doris Crumbley Dykers, a longtime resident of Oak Harbor, passed away peacefully Sept. 18, 2015 at the age of 94. Doris was a proud descendant of the Simon Morgan Reeder family, who crossed the plains on the Oregon Trail in 1853 and settled on Sauvies Island, in the Columbia River near Portland, Ore.

Doris and her sister, Marie, who was just one year older, were close in age and close in heart and shared a life-long bond. Dad worked for the railroad and was transferred to Spokane, where the girls grew up and graduated from John Rogers High School in 1939. Doris spent her summers on her aunt and uncle’s farm near Portland, working, playing and forming life-long bonds with her extended family.

Doris was known as the “tomboy” sister and cousin who chose to do outside chores and the more adventurous activities, like tree climbing, horseback riding, swimming, sailing and boating. Her mother did teach her to play the piano and she developed a love of music, playing the piano, organ and accordion. She also loved to dance. Growing up, Doris belonged to Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls and Job’s Daughters.

Following graduation, she worked in Spokane and then moved on to Seattle, where she began work at the Sandpoint Naval Facility. In 1945, she moved to the Oak Harbor, working at Washington Co-op on the Oak Harbor city dock. Doris met Lawrence “Doc” Dykers, the rural mail carrier. They were married on July 1, 1947, and began their 61 years of marriage, spending most of it at their home on Dugualla Bay.

Doris began her marriage as a homemaker, caring for their two children, Doreen born in 1948, and Lawrence Alfred “Larry,” born in 1950, both in Oak Harbor. She occasionally worked as a substitute rural mail carrier, which she thoroughly enjoyed. When her children reached school age she became a school secretary, first at Oak Harbor Elementary and then at the junior high school. After her children graduated from high school she worked at a local bank for several years before retiring.

Through her children’s early years she was an active supporter of their activities. She was assistant 4-H leader, Little League baseball booster and an avid Oak Harbor High School sports fan. She was involved in community activities such as Holland Happening and danced with the Dutch Dancers. She and Doc were grand marshals of the Holland Happening Parade one year. She played the piano or organ for many events, and was an early member of a guild formed to establish a hospital on the Island. Doris was a very patriotic member of their military community, and was extremely proud to ride with Doc when he was chosen as the grand marshal of Oak Harbor’s 4th of July Parade.

Doris loved playing games of any sort, but cards were her favorite. Doris and Doc spent many hours with friends and family over the years playing pinochle or other card games. She was a long-time member of a women’s group of friends who met faithfully each month to play pinochle.

Doris loved to camp and to travel. Doc and Doris enjoyed many a weekend or vacation with family and friends, traveling from the ocean beaches to the backwoods of Washington and upper British Columbia. They also belonged to the Rural Carriers Association and later the Postmasters Association and traveled to their various meetings and conventions, both state and nationwide. After Doc’s retirement they purchased a new motor home, Doris’ pride and joy. They traveled a lot with friends and became “snowbirds” for many years, thoroughly enjoying their winters traveling through the southwestern states visiting family and friends, taking part in the various parks’ activities and loving the sunny weather.

Doris was very active in the Oak Harbor Emblem Club #450, serving as organist for several years. She also enjoyed participating in the various Elks functions, especially traveling with the Elks Travel Club and participating in their various gatherings throughout the state.

For the last seven years Doris has lived at Regency on Whidbey Assisted Living and enjoyed the fellowship of the residents and its many activities.

Doris is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Doreen and Ray Wardenaar of Royal Slope; her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Joyce Dykers of Auburn; her grandsons Joel ( Lisa) Wardenaar and their children, Raylie, Raegan, Livi and Brit; Jake (Farrah) Wardenaar and their children, Grant, Lauren and Wade; and Jed Wardenaar, all of Royal Slope; grandson Chapin Dykers and granddaughter Julia Dykers, both of Auburn; and nieces and nephews, Alice (Don) Sorensen of Burlington, Luther (Debra Lahr) Galbreath of Concrete, Barbara (Ted) Reisner of Anacortes, Kathy Lindbloom of Mount Vernon, Gretchen Dykers of LaConner, Sigrid (Steve) Barnett of Burlington and Obert Dykers of Bellingham. She is also survived by Sadie Stoynac of Spokane, a life-long friend of 87 years; as well as numerous cousins, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; her sister, Marie; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Chapin and Anne Dykers, Gertrude and Arend Balster, Obert Dykers, Martha Dykers, Barbara Dykers and BB Shelton; and nephews Herbie Dykers and Tracy Shelton.

Doris as mom, aunt, grandma and great-grandma, and a good friend to many, has been a big part of our lives for such a long time. We will all miss her very much. Godspeed, mom.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Wallin Funeral Home. A reception will follow the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge. Private family graveside services will be held at Fircrest Cemetery, where Doris will be laid to rest next to husband Lawrence. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the EyeCare program, Oak Harbor Emblem Club #450, PO Box 666, Oak Harbor, WA 98277, a charity that was very important to Doris. Please visit Doris’ page in the Book of Memories at www.wallin

funeralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor.