Doris Klein-Hoit, age 96, passed away peacefully from complications of old age at Brookdale in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday, January 9, 2017.. Doris Maurita Crowley was born on May 15, 1921 in Coggon, Linn County, Iowa, the daughter of the late James Francis Crowley and Genevieve Elizabeth "Jenny" Kinley. After graduation in 1939 from Coggon High School, Doris followed her father and younger brother to Waterloo. There she found employment as a seamstress at the Meany Casket Factory, where she met her future husband, Robert Patrick Klein. They were married on September 8, 1945 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waterloo.
Bob worked for many years, first as a carpet installer and then as a salesman for McGregor Furniture, while Doris took on the duties of a full-time mom. In the early 1960s she returned to the workforce as a cook and server at the Columbus High School Cafeteria. In 1966 the family moved to Charles City, where Bob had been appointed manager of the McGregor Furniture store's local branch. Doris took a position at the Chautauqua Guest and Nursing Home. Bob died December 20, 1977 and Doris continued to work at Chautauqua until her retirement in 1983.
On September 22, 1990, Doris married Ronald David Hoit and they moved to Mason City, where Ron worked with Shop-and-Go. Ron died on February 13, 2001. Doris continued to live in Mason City until 2015 when she decided to move closer to her son and grandchildren in Louisville, Kentucky. She was preceded in death by her parents and two husbands; her elder sister Mercedes Crowley-Logan and her husband John R. Logan; and her younger brother Marcus John Crowley and his wife Hazel Arlene "Peggy" O'Neal-Crowley.
Doris is survived by her three sons, Patrick Joseph Klein (Mary Cox-Robbins) of Louisville, James Robert Klein (Chatmongkol Srisawang), Pattaya, Thailand, and Marcus John Klein (Dr. Patricia Steffen) of Golden Valley, Minnesota; three grandsons, Kevin Klein, Christopher Klein (Shannon Davis) and Adam Klein (Kristin Daniels), all of Louisville; a granddaughter, Dr. Antika Klein of Phuket, Thailand; and six great-grandchildren, all of Louisville.
At her request, Doris chose cremation. Formal graveside services are pending. Doris will be laid to rest next to her husband Bob Klein in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waterloo, IA.
Memorials may be made to Hosparus.
To leave a special message for the family, please use the "Share Memories" button.