"D.A." Doris Arlene Orem

August 25, 1929 - April 3, 2016

Doris Arlene “D.A.” Orem (Thiesing) – 86 of Pratt, Kansas died of natural causes on Sunday, April 3, 2016. D.A. was born on August 25, 1929 in McCune, KS to Kathryn and Vernon Thiesing. Doris Arlene was an extremely bright child, who enjoyed learning and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1947, Girard, Kansas. On July 30, 1949, she married her best friend, Kenny Orem. They welcomed their first child, Kenna Kay and were blessed with four other children, Terry, Cheryl, Gary and Karla. Before D.A. became a devoted wife and mother, she worked as the Postmaster in Brazilton, Kansas, where her mother owned a grocery store. She also worked as a Secretary to the President of Noden Cheese Factory in Girard, Kansas. She worked at the election board many years too. D.A. was also a member of the Sacred Heart Church and Alter Society. D.A. Volunteered at Skyline School, as part of the Grandparent program. She read to the children and helped to improve their reading skills. They all loved her and made her many cards. Kenny worked for the Rock Island Railroad and D.A. maintained their home and family. Anyone who entered their home, whether it be relatives or friends, she treated them to her gourmet, home style cooking and whole hearted hospitality. Each November, D.A prepared a feast for all of the friends and relatives that came to Western Kansas to pheasant hunt. The meals were just as good as the hunting…probably better some years. Kindness, family and faith were values that D.A. held dear and passed on to her children, who attended Sacred Heart Catholic School, Pratt, Kansas. In 1981, the Orem family suffered the loss of their son, Gary at the age of 22, in a motorcycle accident. D.A. cultivated many interests throughout her life and one her favorites was gardening. She was a member of the Pratt Garden Club and EHU until it was dissolved. She also loved to travel anywhere the car might be headed! She was always ready to go have fun and enjoy everything in life available to her. For decades, her neighbors looked forward to seeing her yard bloom each Spring. She won several Grand Champion ribbons at the Pratt County Fair for her beautiful flowers. D.A. was proceeded in death by her son Gary, her mother, father and brother. She is survived by her husband Kenny of 67 years, this July, her daughters, Kay Cavanaugh (Paul), Wichita, Kansas, Cheryl Orem, Dallas and Karla Wallace (Art), Kansas City, Missouri. She is also survived by her son Terry (Janene) of Preston, Kansas. She has two half sisters, Verna Sue Couchman (Marvin) Vancouver, Washington and Vickie from Colorado. She has five grandchildren, Erin, Kyle, Steve, Wendy and Emily and two great grandchildren, Hallee and Easton. D.A. enjoyed entertaining her grandchildren and loved to teach them about crafts, flowers and cooking. Many meals were prepared with OREM beef and fresh vegetables picked from her garden at her home, as well as the son’s garden in Preston, Kansas. Everyone who knew D.A. was charmed by her glowing smile and welcoming personality. She was extremely outgoing and never met a stranger and was interested in everyone and their lives. She was adored by her family and friends and will be dearly missed. Visitation will be Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., with family present Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with Rosary service to follow at 7:00 p.m. at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt, Kansas. Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 332 N. Oak, Pratt, Kansas. Memorials may be made to Pratt Garden Club or South Wind Hospice in care of Larrison Mortuary.