Doris Mae Rakowski

Doris Mae Rakowski, 93, died on January 17, 2025, at the Appleton Area Health Services Care Center. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Appleton, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 pm. To view the livestream of Doris's Memorial service click on the following link: https://www.facebook.com/Zniewskifh/

Doris was born on May 27, 1931, to Amos and Jennie Abrahamson in Appleton, Minnesota. Doris was baptized and confirmed at First United Methodist Church in Appleton, Minnesota. She was raised in Appleton and graduated from Appleton High School. She continued her education at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and transferred to Boston University. She graduated with a degree in music. Doris married Elliot Turnbull in Portland, Maine, and was blessed with one son Robert Turnbull. This union ended in divorce and Doris and Robbie moved back to Appleton, Minnesota. Doris was employed as a secretary with Bennet Law Firm until she married Irvin Bahl in 1962 in Appleton. They raised Irvin’s two boys Barry and Ray, Doris’s son Robert, and their son Richard on their hobby farm in Appleton. They were married for 30 years until Irvin passed away.

Doris was employed as an organist for First United Methodist Church for over 40 years. She enjoyed playing for weddings, funerals, and other services. Doris married Robert Rakowski in 1993 and moved to Madison, Minnesota, where they lived for 16 years until Robert passed away. Doris moved back to Appleton and later resided at Appleton Care Center.

Doris enjoyed classical music, playing the piano, baking, gardening, quilting, knitting, crocheting, and braiding rugs. She loved to make gifts for her family and friends. She was very involved in her community and family was the center of her world. Doris was a walking dictionary with a quick wit. She liked to read the dictionary, complete crossword puzzles and word searches. Scrabble and Boggle were her favorite games. If you knew Doris, you knew her favorite teams were the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and her favorite color was purple.

Doris is survived by her brothers Norm (Carol) Abrahamson of Renton, WA, and Dan (Carol) Abrahamson of Lawrence, KS; sons Robert Turnbull of Appleton, MN, and Richard (Patty) Bahl of Maple Grove, MN; stepsons Barry (Kris) Bahl of Sartell, MN, and Ray Bahl of Appleton, MN; grandchildren: Ashley (Chris) Gordon, Ryan Turnbull, Zachary (Sofie) Bahl, Shantel Bahl, Jennifer (Jayson) Hron, and Brian Bahl; great-grandchildren: Phoenix Turnbull, Winston Gordon, Xylia Gordon, Charlotte Turnbull, Nolan Turnbull, Archard Bahl, Anna Hron and Ella Hron; nieces and nephews: Tami Jo (Brian) Dunlap, Tim (Dawn) Abrahamson, Emily (Rick) Cates, Heather Williams, and Ric Abrahamson; niece’s husband Frank Towle, and other friends and family.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents Amos and Jennie Abrahamson; husband Irvin Bahl; husband Robert Rakowski; nephew Tom Abrahamson; niece Jenny Towle; great-granddaughter Amelia Turnbull.

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