Doris Grace Richter

7 hours ago(1) SignaturesMISSOULA – After 36 years of separation, Doris Grace Richter joyfully danced into the arms of her beloved husband George, on the early morning of Tuesday, July 2, 2013, peacefully, at her home surrounded by loved ones.

Doris Grace Arrotta was born on Aug. 1, 1929, in Williston N.D., to Sam (Salvatore) Arrotta and Mary (Vandenberg) Arrotta. Nicknamed "Dorie" by all her classmates at Simms High School, she graduated in 1947. Considered quite the "looker" in her day, she was still the "Belle of the Ball" when she attended her 50-year reunion in 1997.

Shortly after graduating high school, her brother Don introduced Dorie to his roommate George Richter at a dance. She often told her children and grandchildren the story, her eyes aglow, of when she first laid eyes on George, wearing a red shirt and quite the handsomest man she had ever seen. After dancing with him to check out his skills, she knew he was the one for her and they were married on March 20, 1948, in Great Falls.

In 1957, George and Doris, along with their small children, moved to Missoula. She was a homemaker until 1967 when George became ill and Doris became an assistant cook at St. Francis Xavier School. The family moved to Helena in 1969 as George became the first director of the Indian Alliance. Doris was once again a homemaker until 1971 when they moved back to Missoula. At that time, she began cooking for the Missoula Head Start program, while also cooking for the Smokejumpers in the summer months. She became so well known for her culinary skills that the Missoula College of Technology would send their culinary students to intern under her tutelage.

Her beloved George passed away in 1976, and she decided to work as a sorority mother and cook for five years. She was then asked to preside as cook and house mother for a fraternal organization for 12 years, where she doted on her "boys," greatly contributing to their expanding college waist lines. In the summer months, she was head chef at Lubrecht Forestry Camp, feeding forestry students from all over the United States. To this day, her legacy of being an outstanding cook has been passed to her children and grandchildren, much to the delight of all those in attendance at a family function.

Doris loved people. She was very social and fun to be around, maintaining deep abiding friendships until the day she passed. Playing cards, bowling, dancing and hitting the Keno machines were favorite pastimes. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church and the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi.

Doris became quite the sports fan when her children began to partake in their numerous sports. She may not have known what the play was or what position they were in, but a truer fan there never was. She was a Griz fan to the core.

She adored her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially in the latter years when she would pine away if she did not get a glimpse of her "babies." (Babies included son Von.) Because of her great love, compassion and generous nature, her family from young to old, were very much a part of her life, with her passing leaving an enormous void in their lives.

Preceded in death by her husband, George in 1976; father Sam and mother Mary; sisters, Evelyn, Mary, Virginia and Thelma; brothers, Jim, Larry and Robert; son-in-law Ezekiel. Survivors include four sons and their families, Sam (Sally), Scott (Pam), George (Tina) and Von (Shelly), all residing in Missoula. Daughters include, Christine (Mike) of Kellogg, Idaho, Susan and Julie (Robin) of Missoula; sister Sharon (Kenny) of Augusta and brother Donald (Auriel) of Spokane; also, 26 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A vigil and rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, July 8 at St Francis Xavier Church. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 9 at St. Francis Xavier Church, officiated by Father George Dumais. The reception will immediately follow the services in Father Reidy Hall located in the basement of the church. Pallbearers will include all her grandsons, Shannon Steele, Kasey Richter, Tyrel Barstow, Jessie Perkins, Bradley Anderson,

Read Doris Richter's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.