Doris Conner

Doris Jean (Rowan) Conner of Arkansas City, died December 28,^, 2023, at Presbyterian Manor at the age of 84, losing her battle with Dementia. She was born in Freeport to parents Freddie Rowan and Margaret (Ellis) Rowan. There will be no services, just a family burial at Riverview Cemetery, where she will be buried beside her husband and daughter.

Survivors include son Dave Conner and wife Deborah of Wellington; son Ed Conner of Arkansas City;  and daughter Becky (Conner) Martin of Gardner, Kans. also 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great, great, grandchild. She was preceded in death by her mother Margaret and father Freddie, stepbrother Albert Miller, sister Dorothy (Rowan) Self and daughter Debbie Kay (Conner) Jordon.

Doris attended Arkansas City schools, graduating from Arkansas City High School in 1957.

On September 21, 1957, Doris married her lifelong husband, who just happened to be her neighbor most of her childhood. Shortly after marrying her high school sweetheart Alvin, they moved to Tulsa, Okla., where they gave birth to their first son in August of 1958 and lived above a laundry that they maintained as part of the rent. It proved to be quite an experience.

In 1959, they moved back to Arkansas City, and in June of 1960, they had their second boy Edward. In December of 1961, they had their third child, a daughter Rebecca. In 1962, they bought their first house. In 1977, they bought their second home east of Ark City, where they enjoy the seclusion of the country.

In October of 1977 they birthed their last child another daughter Debra Kay. Over the years, Doris was busy raising children plus worked at Gott Inc, Cessna, Heritage Inn, and Marbet Cleaners. In the early 2000s, they moved to the Traveler Motel south of Arkansas City. They then moved to Jay Okla. in the woods, living in a 30-foot travel trailer while they built their dream home. In 2019, being 79, they moved to Arkansas City, then to Wellington for a short period of time, and then came to rest in Winfield, for a year.

They made their last move together to Olathe, KS, to live with their daughter. In December of 2020, Alvin passed away from COVID-19 the first week they were there. Doris stayed with her daughter Becky till in 2021 her dementia got worse, so she was moved to Presbyterian Manor in Arkansas City where she lived last. Doris enjoyed her family and friends very much. She loved crocheting, camping and the love of her life,  Alvin. They are back together again, Amen!