DOris McFarland

DORIS EILEEN MCFARLAND (LANGENBERG)

Iowa City

Doris Eileen McFarland (Langenberg), 85, flew to Heaven on angel wings Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at Genesis East in Davenport, following a brief illness. Memorial service for friends and family will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at St John's Methodist Church in Davenport. A private family graveside service at Ridgeview Cemetery in North Liberty will follow at a later date when all her children can be gathered together.

Doris is survived by her children, Ruth (Brad) Wanzell, Steve (Marilyn) Stepanek, John (Jeff) Stepanek, Laurie (Warren) Roth, Mary (Steve) Mullins and Jamie McFarland; and a cherished daughter, Susan Lynn. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; her brother, Louis (LaVerta) Langenberg; many nieces and nephews; and her dog, Molly.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Louis Harold Langenberg, Pearl Irene Winter and Hank Winter; three brothers, Richard Langenberg, Kenneth Langenberg and Gary Winter; and husbands, Lumir Stepanek and Duane McFarland.

Doris was born March 24, 1930, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Louis and Pearl (Wray) Langenberg. Doris graduated from University High in Iowa City in 1948. She worked at the Rock Island Arsenal for over 22 years. Following retirement, she worked at McDonalds for 10 years.

Doris will be remembered for her quick wit, bright smile and generosity. Her energetic and talkative personality quickly filled a room. The immediate family wishes to apologize for any of her infamously detailed and often convoluted stories. She never met a stranger and was quick to chat.

Doris was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother. She always said the best time of her life was while she was raising her children. Doris was the first person her family turned to in both happy and difficult times. She will be deeply missed by her children and family as a source of love, comfort and unerring devotion and support.

Doris rarely sat still and found great joy and satisfaction in her many interests. She was a prolific and accomplished seamstress, making clothing and fabric crafts for her family and friends, including many square dance dresses. She loved the outdoors, birds, gardening and travel. She enjoyed playing cards and marble games with her many treasured friends and family. Doris was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church. She was a member and officer of the Davenport Horticultural Society for many years and several local square dance clubs.

Memorials will be used to plant trees in her honor.