Doris May (Johnson) Been, 87, of Belmond, Iowa, passed away at the Belmond
Rehabilitation Center on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.
On Sunday, April 24th, Visitation will be at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick's
Lane South, Belmond, Iowa, from 4-6 pm.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Monday, April 25th at Belmond United
Methodist Church; Pastor Leila Blackburn and Rev. Harlan Gillespie will
officiate. Burial will be at the Belmond Cemetery. The services will be under
the direction of Ewing Funeral Home.
CLICK HERE to view Doris Been's Funeral Service
[https://www.facebook.com/ewingfuneralhome/videos/753532432678215] Doris'
funeral service will be live streamed on the Belmond United Methodist Church
Facebook Page.
On September 1st, 1934, Doris was born to William "Bill" Johnson and Mary Edith
(Lutman) Johnson in Tingley, Iowa. She was the youngest of Bill and Edith's ten
children. Their basketball team made it to the Girl's State Tournament during
her senior year. She was proud to be their 5-foot "speedy" Guard! In 1952, she
graduated as the Salutatorian from Tingley High School.
On October 4th, 1952, Doris married Merle C. Been at the Little Brown Church in
Nashua, Iowa. They began their married life in Newton, Iowa, where the Vernon
Company employed her. During Merle's deployment in the armed forces, they lived
in the states of Virginia and California. Their marriage was blessed with three
children: Steven, Jonel, and Rodney.
Doris held various jobs in communities where they lived: Cal-Farm Insurance of
Marysville, California, and Thorpe Well Drilling Company in Des Moines. In 1965
they purchased the Town & Country Advertiser of Wesley, Iowa. They then started
The Reminder in Belmond, which led to the beginning of Printing Services, Inc.
(PSI). Doris and Merle were Co-Owners of Farm & Home Publishers and City
Directory, Inc., along with various other business ventures, making many
lifelong friends along the way. She especially enjoyed being a graphic designer
and composing Ads.
While growing up, Doris was a member of the Tingley United Methodist Church.
Family and friends from her hometown of Tingley, will always hold a special
place in her heart. Later, Doris was a faithful member of the Belmond United
Methodist Church. She served on the Memorial, Missions, Pastor/Parish, and
Funeral Committees and held various offices through United Methodist Women.
Doris organized a yearly UMW skit for the Care Center during the summer. After
the devastating Parkersburg tornado of 2008, she helped organize a Christmas
celebration for the town. Doris also enjoyed being a Cub Scout Leader, teaching
Sunday school and Bible School. She held many hobbies such as crafting, sewing,
reading, golfing, composing skits, and being a part of the Red Hat Ladies.
Doris and Merle enjoyed traveling to extraordinary places, especially when it
involved family and friends. They embarked on adventures in Hawaii, Spain, and
Europe and loved going on cruises. During the winter months, they ventured south
to warmer climates. She was proud to attend family weddings and special
occasions in all parts of the country. Her main pleasure in life was being a
true B-K Bronco Fan. She loved musicals, sporting events, County and State
Fairs, and all events that featured family! She enjoyed good friends and good
times and was always "up" for a good laugh.
Doris was part of the Iowa State Cyclone fan base on the stadium bleachers and
the La-Z-Boy in front of the TV. In addition, she loved spending time at Lake
Cornelia and all the fun that went with it. Merle and Doris were honored to be
married for 52 years. Ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren filled their
home with love and laughter through the years. Her family meant the world to
her, and she enjoyed being a Wife, Friend, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, and
Aunt.
Those left to survive Doris include her children: Steven (Jeri) Been of Clarion,
Jonel (Brian) Worden of Belmond, and Rodney (Laurie) Been of Belmond;
Grandchildren: Linzey (Clayton Wieben) Nosbush, Kevin (Allyson) Been, Lane
(Katie) Worden, Travis (Kaiti) Been, Landon (Jonica Hernandez) Worden, Rory
Dillon, Luke (Spenser Becker) Worden, Dana Been, and Nathan Been. Great
Grandchildren: Cooper & Chantel Nosbush, Natalie, Harper & Nora Been, Addy
Hernandez, Avett & Juniper Been, and Ella & Landry Worden. Sisters-in-Law:
Chrystal Johnson of Waverly, Nebraska, Lillian Been of Palm Harbor, Florida, and
a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her Parents: Bill and Mary Johnson; Loving Husband:
Merle C. Been; Sisters: Cleone (Joe) Thompson and Marian (Dale Reynolds) (Ben
Solomon); Brothers: Keith, Clare (Pat) (Louise), Lawrence, Merrill, Dean
(Cleone), and Marvin (Gene) (Willie) Johnson; Father and Mother-in-Law: Harley
and Leona Been; Sisters-in-Law: Margaret (Charles) Dutton, Maudeene (Bud)
Swinehart, Marrabell (Earl) Schultz, Marilyn (Max) Tindle, Mardell (Don) Donner;
Brothers-in-Law: Marvin, Mark, Mac (Nila), & Milo (Naomi) Been and Kenny
Hosfield; and Grandson, Corey Been.
Per Doris' request, she would like memorials to go towards the B-K Scholarship
II Foundation, Iowa Specialty Hospital Foundation, Tingley Community Center, or
any donation of your choice.