Doris Jeannine (Knickerbocker) Horswell, 86, of Annandale and formerly of Hutchinson, passed away peacefully at her home on Bass Lake, surrounded by her children on July 15, 2016.

Family and Friends will gather at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2016 to celebrate Doris's life and faith in Jesus Christ at St. Mark Episcopal Church, 10536 108th St. NW, Annandale. Condolences may be sent in care of Jan Anderson, 365 Excelsior Ave. N., Annandale, MN 55302. Memorials will be given to Camp Friendship.

Doris was born on March 29, 1930 to Elwyn and Hazel Knickerbocker, on the family homestead on Bass.  Her childhood days were spent on the lake - swimming, fishing, boating, ice-skating and muskrat trapping. During summers she cleaned cabins at her grandparents' resort and worked as a waitress/cook at Beecher's Resort on Clearwater.  She was active in 4H which spurred her interests in cooking, sewing, and gardening.  In 1947, Doris graduated from Annandale High School.

Doris received a BS degree in Home Economics from the University of Minnesota. It was on the St. Paul campus where she met Ronald Horswell, the love of her life, whom she later married in 1951. Their social circles revolved around the sorority, card parties and dancing to the tunes of the 40's. Ron and Doris set up their first household in Carterville, Illinois. In 1954 they returned to Minnesota, and raised four children in Hutchinson until 2005.  Doris devoted 38 years to education, and loved every minute.  She retired from Hutchinson High School as a middle school Home-Ec. teacher.  Doris was active in St. John's Episcopal Church, AAUW, women's golf, bridge clubs and birthday group. Her green thumb inherited from her mother created beautiful flowerbeds and bountiful vegetable gardens. She and Ron participated in bowling, golfing, skiing and tennis, though their greatest enjoyment was encouraging and supporting their children and grandchildren in school and extra-curricular endeavors.

Doris graciously opened her home and offered hospitality over the years. She loved to plan and provide meals for her family, friends and social groups.  Her specialty was her infamous fish fry, often requested and recalled by her grandchildren.

Doris and Ron spent their summers at area lakes, winters in Englewood, Florida, and traveled throughout the US and abroad. They relocated to Annandale in 2005, building their retirement home on Bass Lake. Their golden years were spent on the porch gazing at sunsets, birds and wildlife in the fields of their farm, and listening to the loons on the lake.

She departed this earthly life, which she loved and pursued with energy and vigor, and entered a better one, to which she had become warmer and fonder as the years passed, because of her attraction to God and His Promises.

Doris is survived by her four children: Bruce (Barb) Horswell of Charleston WV, Bryce, Brynna, Brittany, Brooke, Brent; Jill (Ray) Tescher of Beach ND, Steele, Sage, Skylar, Tanner; Jan (Scott) Anderson of Annandale MN, Jennie, Corey, Lindee; Jamie (Todd) Kidder of New Richmond WI, Jared, Mattie, Joey; six great-grandchildren; sister Glenna Rhoades (Irv) Marg; brother-in-law Bob (Katherine) Horswell. Doris was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ronald; parents, Elwyn and Hazel Knickerbocker and many in-laws.