Doris Viola Amis

Doris Peterson Amis, 101, passed into glory November 6, 2023, at her home. Born on October 3, 1922, to Rognar and Edith (Pearson) Peterson, she shared a happy childhood, full of shennigans, with four siblings: Irene, Albert (Pete), Clara Ann and Elvera. 

She graduated from Tekamah High School in 1940 as the class valedictorian and attended the University of Nebraska where she was elected into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and played basketball. She laughed about the fact that women were only allowed to play half court then. She paid her college expenses by being an assistant to the Dean of Women.

Following college graduation she worked as a legal secretary for Goodyear Tire Co. while saving money for graduate school. Awarded a fellowship at Radcliffe College, she participated in their personnel program. She then moved to San Francisco and worked for the US Civil Service Commission.

When the Korean War began in 1950, Doris joined the Women's Air Force (WAF) and received a direct commission as a 1st Lt., completing training in Texas and Alabama. She met a handsome 'fly boy,' Lawn Amis, in a coed class. Although they were assigned stations in different states after their training, they kept in touch. Doris was assigned as a squadron leader, training women recruits. After only months of dating, they decided to marry which meant that she had to resign from the Air Force since married women were not permitted in the service at that time. They were married June 11th, 1953, on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay. They had two children, Eric and Karen. The family was stationed in Kansas, Texas, California and lastly, Nebraska, only an hour's drive to family in Tekamah. Christmas and the family are among the favorite memories.

Vacationing in Oregon led to a decision to retire in this beautiful state, and the family moved to Grants Pass in 1970. Doris volunteered at the Grants Pass Library and at Redwood Elementary as a reading tutor. Doris and Lawn spent several years traveling around the world before health issues interferred. They were married for 42 years upon his passing in 1995. 

Doris cherished her family and friends. She loved to read all kinds of books. She swam at the YMCA for several years and was so proud of the tee shirt her friends had made when she reached her 500 mile goal. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching football, basketball and baseball. Her lifelong faith in Jesus was evident. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. Surviving are her children Eric Amis (Marilyn) of Los Angeles, and Karen Amis of Grants Pass; granddaughter Jennifer Amis, and two great grandsons, Theo and Rhys, of Los Angeles. 

A service will be held in Tekamah, Nebraska, on November 18 at the First Baptist Church. She will be interred in the Tekamah Cemetary next to her husband. A later memorial get together will be held in Grants Pass in the spring. Donations may be made to the Amis Church Fund, a college loan program, in care of the First Baptist Church, 1116 K Street, Tekamah, NE 68061.