Doreen Carolyn South

Doreen Carolyn South

Worland, Wyo.

Doreen Carolyn South, 92, Worland, Wyo., resident passed away on Sept. 29, 2023, at the Wyoming Retirement Center in Basin, Wyo.

Doreen was born on Dec. 27, 1930 in Worland, Wyo., the oldest of two children born to John Taylor and Clara (Faure) South. Doreen grew up in Worland among her extended family and friends. She was a pleasant, pretty and popular girl. She loved to spend the summer at the cabin Jay built near Deer Haven Lodge. It was the family gathering place for mountain adventures. When Doreen lived in Iowa she would bring her own family there for summer vacation. After Jay sold the cabin, she still enjoyed going there with her sons and other family, remembering the good old days.

In the summer of 1975, Doreen fell and sustained a serious head and brain injury that doctors said would probably be fatal. After months in a coma she miraculously regained consciousness. She had to relearn from scratch how to do virtually everything. Doreen showed extreme determination, perseverance, patience and positive attitude in recovering from the accident and regaining her independence.

Doreen met her husband Chuck while she was working for an oil company in Casper in 1952. They were married in Worland in 1954 and moved to Iowa in 1955 where they raised their family in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids. They were socially active and Doreen volunteered for many civic organizations. One of her favorite projects was the historic preservation of the Russell Lamson House in Waterloo. Chuck was devoted to Doreen and helped her to recover after her fall. They were divorced in 1994.

Art and design were important throughout Doreen's life. She went back to college in her 40s to get a bachelor's degree in art from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. She was most interested in sculpture, ceramics, drawing and collage. She loved going to art museums. She also knitted excellent afghan blankets and beautiful sweaters with intricate patterns that she gave as gifts.

Doreen enjoyed making her home pleasant and welcoming at any time. Her cooking specialties included bread, french tourtons (also known as "Little Jesus Cushions"), fudge and caramels using recipes passed down from her grandma Faure. Sharing wine and snacks at happy hour became a tradition with her. Doreen never saw a thrift shop that she didn't like. She took every opportunity to search for thrift shop treasure. She was also an enthusiastic volunteer at the Born Again Clothing in Worland.

Her family appreciates the staff and fellow residents at the Wyoming Retirement Center and the care and friendship they showed Doreen.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Survivors include her sons, Charles T. Burd of Lander, Wyo., Brian D. Burd of Centennial, Colo., and Christopher H. Burd of Tiffan, Iowa; brother, Robert J. South of Bend, Ore.; and grandchildren, Melissa K. Burd, Alexander P. Burd and Charles C. Burd.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 13, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Linda Anderson officiating. Memorial donations may be made to St. Alban’s and sent to P.O. Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made to www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.