Blackmer Funeral Home

Doris Wilson, 88, formerly of Ontario, Oregon and Grangeville, Idaho, died Friday, April 24, 2009, at her residence in Nyssa Gardens, located in Nyssa, Oregon.  

Doris was born April 14, 1921. She was the 3^rd child of 5 children born to Fred and Blanche Hite. 

She was united in marriage to Lem Wilson Jr., September 5, 1939, in Weiser, Idaho.  Shortly after their marriage, Doris lived in a sheep camp with her husband Lem as he herded sheep. A year later they acquired an ice cream and sandwich shop which they operated for two years. Doris and her husband then rented farms, row cropped and custom farmed potato and sugar beet digging. In 1951, Doris and Lem moved to a large sheep ranch on the Oregon side of the Snake River, located below Hells Canyon.  

Three boys were born to Doris and Lem: Ray, Gary, and Gerald Mickey. Doris and Lem also maintained a residence in Grangeville, Idaho as the children became school age. 

Doris was involved in Cub Scouts as a den mother, involved in 4H and with the Rock Hound Club. When her grandchildren were in grade school, she taught art in 4H as she was a very accomplished artist. 

Their Snake River ranch was condemned in 1973 by the U.S. Forest Service Department to form The Hells Canyon Recreational Area.  Doris never did like the Forest Service after they took her home.   

In 2002, at the age of 80 years, she wrote a book of her life in Hells Canyon.  The book was titled “Life in Hells Canyon”, a private view.  The book was very well received. 

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Blanche Hite; husband, Lem; son Gary; granddaughter Rachel; brothers Carl, Walt, and Loren, and sister Iris. 

Survivors include sons, Ray and Mick Wilson; 4 grand children and 5 great grand children; sister-in-law Helen Hite, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. Doris lived a very interesting and full life. 

Memorial contributions can be made to the Lance Armstrong Cancer Foundation. 

Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 2^nd, 2009, at 11:00 a.m., at the Prairie View Cemetery in Grangeville. Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. 

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.blackmerfuneralhome.com.