Doris Irene (Handley) Wheeler, daughter of James C. and Katie (Vanderford) Handley, was born February 5, 1920 on the family farm near Nemaha, Nebraska. She attended Larkin School near her home and Nemaha High School.
On January 29, 1937 Doris was united in marriage to Ervin Wheeler in Hiawatha, Kansas. They made their home in the Nemaha area, and would be blessed with three children: Charlotte Anne, James Ervin, and Janet Kay.
Doris was a true farmer?s wife, helping with chores in addition to cooking, cleaning, and raising her children. Later in life she worked for 10 years with the Auburn Public Schools in the maintenance department.
A member of the Nemaha Christian Church since childhood, Doris transferred her membership to the Auburn Christian Church in 1970 when she and Ervin moved to Auburn, Nebraska. She enjoyed quilting, and belonged to a card club with her husband.
After Ervin?s passing in 1997, Doris lived at their home until 2005 when she became a resident of Long?s Creek Village in Auburn. She enjoyed her time spent there, but eventually found it necessary to move to nursing facilities more appropriate for the care she needed. After spending time at a facility in Lincoln, Nebraska she moved back to Auburn and the Good Samaritan Society.
Doris passed away at Good Samaritan Society-Auburn on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at the age of 93 years, 2 months, and 23 days. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, brother, and daughter Janet Schneider.
Doris is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Charlotte and Jerry Lunsford of Okoboji, IA; son and daughter-in-law James and Tammy Wheeler of Lincoln, NE; son-in-law Leland Schneider of Table Rock, NE; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
At her request, Doris was buried privately at Bedford Cemetery near Howe, Nebraska on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.