GyBill
01-20-2009, 01:03 PM
Doris V. Kleberger, Passed away at Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa on December 14, 2008. She was born in St. Louis, MO on July 3, 1922 to Esther and Robert Kleberger. Doris, fondly called "Dorie" by many who knew her, attended Teacher's College in St. Louis MO. World War II broke out in 1941 and after several months eligible women were sought out to join the military services. In 1943 she was among the first to join the U.S. Marine Corp Reserve and was among the first class of women to attend enlisted boot camp at Hunter college in New York City. Shortly after completing boot camp she was chosen to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. During most of World War II she was assigned as the Station Radar Officer at Marine Corps Air Station, Santa Barbara, CA. After the war, she attended the University of Berkeley. When the Korean War started women again were needed to fill the ranks of the military services and she was one of the first to don the forest green uniform of the Marines. Not long after that she decided she wanted to be a career Marine. Retiring in 1966 as a Lieutenant Colonel, she traveled around the world with her long-time friend. One of their travels brought them to Napa which they decided was the place for them to finally settle down. After a few years in Napa, Doris and her companion discovered a brand new retirement community in Santa Rosa called Oakmont that was going to have a great golf course. Being long-time avid golfers they relocated to Oakmont where they have spent many, many happy years until her death. Dorie is survived by her long-time, dear companion, Mary Thompson, her sister Audrey Bunting, nieces Lani (Don) Miller, Lori (Mike) Adams, Janet Swineford, Gail Swineford, Trudy Reese and Ruth Ann Keeney; also nephews David (Karen) Swineford, Mark (Kathleen) Swineford, Bob (Sandy) Kleberger; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews, and many dear and loving friends. She was preceded in death by her brother Robert Kleberger, sister Ruth Swineford, and niece Lisa Whitcomb. Memorial services will be held January 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Mortuary Chapel, 1900 Franklin Ave., Santa Rosa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 1211 Dutton Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Arrangements under the care of: SANTA ROSA MORTUARY EGGEN & LANCE CHAPEL 545-3747.