Doralee Ainsworth

DORALEE MAE AINSWORTH

Cedar Rapids

On Oct. 8, 2018, the soul of Doralee Mae Ainsworth left this life to be with her Savior in a new and incredible life in heaven following a long life full of loving service to others. Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday,

Oct. 13, at Christ Church Presbyterian by the Rev. Tim Dyck. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Doralee was born Nov. 27, 1918, to Laura and Earl Struchen on a farm between the cities of Lafayette and Alice, Iowa. She was so small that her crib was a dresser drawer. Doralee lived on the farm with her parents until she was entering into the ninth grade. She was then sent to live with her Aunt Zeretta and Uncle George in Cedar Rapids. Doralee attended Wilson and Grant high schools, where she met a dashing young football player named Forrest Ainsworth. Love blossomed and in October 1939, they married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. In the years to follow came two daughters, Shirley and Mary, and then grandchildren, Lori, Lisa, Scot and Rebecca, who were the apples of Grandma's eyes. In 2003, after 64 years of a wonderful marriage, Forrest passed into heaven leaving Doralee to remain for the next 14 years in the first and last house they ever owned. Her low vision, due to macular degeneration, and her waning energy convinced her in September 2017 to seek out a new home for herself and her kitty, Holly. She found the perfect home for both of them at Prairie Hills Assisted Living in Cedar Rapids.

Doralee was a charter member of Christ Church Presbyterian in Cedar Rapids. She was also the first woman in that church to serve as an elder. She was very active in her church as well as with Camp Fire Girls. Doralee played golf and bowled well into her 90s until her back got too bad for all of that activity. She was also a very accomplished seamstress, making all of Forrest's suits, many of her own clothes and lots of kids' clothing when her little girls were growing up. As a youth, she was a featured billing at the Linn County Fair in Central City doing acrobatics. Doralee was also a great fan of the Cubs.

Left to mourn the passing of Doralee, as well as to celebrate her life, are daughters, Shirley (Edgar) Fisher of McAllister, Mont., and Mary (Jon) Remington of Cedar Rapids; and grandchildren, Lori Brendes of Cedar Rapids, Lisa Florence of Cedar Rapids, Scot (Paola) Remington of Laveen, Ariz., and Rebecca Remington of Cedar Rapids. Also, a special "adopted son" to her, Alan Remington; and her best friend the last few years of her life, Holly, her cat.

Doralee was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Forrest; grandson-in-law, Bob Brendes; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

We know that God has made a place for her and she is well cared for, free of pain and has all she needs.

Memorials in Doralee's name can be sent to Christ Church Presbyterian Endowment Fund, 2000 First Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, or to the Linn Community Food Bank.

Please share a memory of Doralee at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.