Rosary: 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 12, 2007.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Wolf Point, Montana.
Interment: Greenwood Cemetery, Wolf Point.
Marvin Hans Doornek, age 77, of Wolf Point died on November 9, 2007, at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point.
Hans was born on June 30, 1930, at the family farm near the Redwater River in north, McCone County. On the farm he cut a wide swath enjoying the freedom of wholesome family living and shoeless summer days with his five brothers: Melvin, Myron (Bud), Manley, Murel and Martin (Chuck) and only sister, Marie. The family moved to Wolf Point in the mid 1940s where he attended school. Searching for a more diverse curriculum and seeking an education of the world on his own rebellious terms, he left high school early and hitch-hiked to live with relatives in Wisconsin. While in Milwaukee and after making enough money and getting a good education working in a chicken slaughterhouse he bought a Harley motorcycle expecting that would be the only ticket he needed to get served a cold red beer in the pubs of Milwaukee. Shortly after, he left his wrecked motorcycle in Milwaukee with his cousins and returned home.
On January 27, 1948, during the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was honorably discharged on January 21, 1952. On August 8, 1952, he married Beverly Balder in Sidney, Montana. He worked as a Roughneck in the oilfields for a few years. In 1959, Hans began farming and ranching with is wife, Beverly, on their Missouri River bottom farm in North McCone County. They raised sheep, cattle, hay and grain and instilled in their children the value of hard work and thrifty living. Hans helped Bev supplement the meager farm income while working for the Roosevelt County Road Department for about 10 years. In 1997 he retired as the foreman of the McCone County Road Department after spending 30 years on that crew.Hans enjoyed hunting and fishing, mostly for the company of brothers, family and friends that made the fraternity so enjoyable. One of the highlights of his life was participating with his sons and son-in-law in the M-89 Montana Centennial Cattle Drive in 1989. He and son, Scott, drove their team and wagon from Roundup to Billings. It was an adventure full of typical and unforgettable Hans Doornek antics. After selling the farm in 1998, Hans and Bev, along with their little dachshund, Sari, retired and moved to their new home in Wolf Point. Mom died suddenly in 2003, having the last laugh and leaving her large beautiful yard for dad to water and mow. In August of 2006, as a result of complicated health conditions, Hans moved to spend his remaining days under the wonderful care of Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point.
Hans is survived by two sons, R.J. (Arlene) and Scott (Sharon), both of Wolf Point, one daughter, Debbie (Glen) Gravely of Draper, Utah, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren all whom he loved to tease. Also surviving are his sister Marie Lynch of Missoula, MT, his brother, Murel of Wolf Point, his mother-in-law, Marie Balder and sister-in-law, Joyce Smith, both of Wolf Point. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Beverly, his parents Joe & Clara Doornek, brothers Melvin, Myron, Manley and Martin.
The family requests that memorials be sent in his name to the Faith Home Foundation or to the charity of one's choice.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Add your thoughts and memories. Upon approval they will be added.