Wanda E Doescher

Obituary: Church Bulletin and Website Only 

Wanda Eve Doescher, age 79 of Kennewick was called home on March 8th, 2020 at Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick, Washington. She was born on January 16th, 1941 at home in the quaint town of Custer, South Dakota to Byron Walter Combs and Pauline Bauer Combs. Ten years later, in August of 1951, the family made the journey from South Dakota to Washington where they settled here in Kennewick.

Wanda graduated from Kennewick High School in 1959 and then from Columbia Basin College in 1985 with an AAS in Business. She was an “Ongoing Self-made Re-inventor” who loved to work with individuals with disabilities. As well as working with her beloved customers at 17 (yes, Seventeen) different shops in Columbia Center Mall. She was well known and loved by her customers and coworkers at the mall but finally with 36 years of dedicated service to others, retired in 2016 to focus on her Family, Faith and New Journeys.

Wanda and Stuart Murphy were married in 1959 to 1990 raising two sons: Patrick born in 1960 and Shawn, born in 1970. In 2015 Wanda married Don Doescher where they enjoyed FOUR Joyously Blessed years together. Spending time at “The Cabin” in the Blue Mountains was one of her favorite places to relax and reflect. Over the years they welcomed Family and Friends to join them at their cabin in the woods to share in the beauty and peace she loved so much. She also enjoyed traveling with Don as they roamed the United States as well as gallivanting around Europe.

Wanda was a Lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church where she sang with Don in the choir and stayed active in various activities including the Steven’s Ministry. She loved the mountains, camping, singing, watching “The Twilight Zone”, musicals, and old movies. Sewing, quilting, jigsaw puzzles and spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren were all favorite pastimes. She always encouraged all of her grandchildren to nurture their talents and took pride in their accomplishments.

She is survived by her husband Don Doescher of Kennewick; her brother Byron Combs and his wife Carol of Kennewick, her son Patrick and his wife Christy of Portland Oregon, grandson Neil and great granddaughter Nicole of Kennewick, grandson Jack and his wife Lucie of Lewiston Idaho, great grandchildren Samantha, Christiana, Alan and Julianna and great-great-grandchildren Logan, Oliver and Brandon (Brandon was born March 6, just two days before Wanda’s passing); her son Shawn and his wife Suzie of Kennewick and grandchildren Daniel, Caitlin, Sarah, Elizabeth, Patrick, Nicholas, Thomas, and Emma. She is also survived by her husband Dons’ Children Dan and his wife Valeria, Dee, Derwin, Dondi and his wife Jana; as well as many grand and great-grand-children.
Her warm Smile and Cheerful personality will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

“Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am.”

John 14:1-3

Obituary: Published in the Tri-City Herald

Wanda Eve Doescher, 79 of Kennewick, passed away on March 8th, 2020. She was born at January 16th, 1941 at home in Custer, South Dakota to Byron Walter and Pauline Bauer Combs. Their family moved to Kennewick, WA in 1953. Wanda graduated from Kennewick High School in 1959. Wanda and Stuart Murphy were married from 1959 to 1990 and raised two sons, Patrick and Shawn. Wanda loved her work with individuals with disabilities. She graduated from Columbia Basin College in 1984. Wanda also loved her years in retail and worked at many of the mall shops. Wanda married Don Doescher in 2015 and have enjoyed 4 happy years. They enjoyed traveling and their mountain cabin. Wanda was a member of First Lutheran Church, where she and Don sang in the choir, and were active in the Steven's Ministry. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents Byron W. and Pauline Combs. She is survived by her husband Don, her sons and daughter in laws, as well many great and great great grandchildren from both Don and herself. Many friends and extended family will miss her warm smile and cheerful, generous personality. Viewing will be available Friday 3/13/2020 at Columbia Memorial Cemetery in Pasco. Memorial Services will be held Monday 03/16/2020 at 11am, First Lutheran Church in Kennewick. Viewing will be available one hour before the service.

Death Notice: Published in the Tri-City Herald on March 11, 2020

Wanda E. Doescher, 79, of Kennewick, died March 8 at Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House.

She was born in Custer, S.D., and lived in the Tri-Cities for 43 years.

She worked in retail sales at Columbia Center mall.

Columbia Memorial Funeral Chapel and Gardens, Pasco, is in charge of arrangements.

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