Doris June Maskus passed away at the age of 94 years on January 13, 2024, at Horizon Senior Care Center in Eckert, Colorado. Prior to moving to Horizon, Doris lived at Brookdale Assisted Living in Montrose before moving to Crossroads Assisted Living in Delta. While residing in assisted living she enjoyed many social activities such as field trips and other outings, playing bingo and bridge, working on puzzles, doing crafts, and participating in as many activities as available.
Doris was born at home on August 19, 1929, outside Arriba, Colorado to Viola (Davis) Chubbuck and Eldridge Chubbuck. They lived on a farm northeast of Arriba. When she was only 8 years old, Doris was bitten by a rattlesnake, before the days of snake antivenom, but she survived and went on to live a very full life. She grew to love gardening and always maintained lovely gardens of flowers, fruits, and vegetables wherever she lived.
In 1948, Doris graduated from Arriba High School. She married Neil Maskus in September 1950 and they were blessed with three children Linda, Keith, and Gary.
In 1962 Neil and Doris purchased the farm from her grandfather Faye Chubbuck. Doris was a dedicated mother, farm wife and homemaker helping wherever she was needed. She was a helpmate to Neil in all things, tending children, gardening, driving the grain truck during harvest as well as many other support duties that come with being a farm wife. One of the very most favorite things that Doris did was to make fruit pies which were loved very much by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Doris and Neil were also greatly involved with the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Arriba, Colorado. Doris taught Sunday School and volunteered for many activities at the church. She was also a long-standing member of the LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) where each woman is welcomed and encouraged to use her unique God-given gifts as she supports global missions. Whenever she couldn’t attend church, she always enjoyed listening to radio broadcasts of The Lutheran Hour, something she enjoyed all her life.
Doris and Neil farmed until Neil’s death in 1989. In 1990, Doris began a new chapter in her life and decided to move to Highlands Ranch, Colorado. This was a huge change for her, but Doris came to enjoy the city very much. She made many new friends, enjoyed her local church, became active in the nearby senior center, and tried new things. Learning to play bridge was high on her list of achievements. And as always, maintained a lovey yard and garden.
In 1998, Doris moved to Flagler, Colorado to be closer to her extended family. Being back amongst her roots brought her great pleasure and she enjoyed many hours of visiting friends and family, keeping her garden and attending church. She also joined the RSVP chapter in Flagler (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) and was a very active member serving her community and volunteering at the Flagler Senior Center.
Doris moved to Montrose, CO in 2012 to be closer to her son, where she enjoyed her last great adventure. She particularly enjoyed the milder winters of Colorado’s Western Slope and was an active member of the Senior Center where she honed her bridge skills, went on many, many outings to see the mountains and surrounding beauty of the San Juan Mountains, and later enjoyed her time at Brookdale Assisted Living in Montrose, CO very much, and, after a time moved to Crossroads Assisted Living in Delta, CO.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Neil Maskus; son, Keith Maskus; grandson Garrett Maskus; parents Viola Chubbuck Larson and Eldridge Chubbuck, and stepfather Jim Larson; brother and infant sister; brothers Raymond Chubbuck and Ken Chubbuck; sister-in-law Lorene Spohr; brothers-in-law Herb Spohr, Noble Maskus, Milton Maskus, Bob Willoughby, and Leroy Johnson.
She is survived by:
Her daughter Linda (Gene) Ewing of Commerce City, CO; grandchildren Karilyn (Troy) Surratt of Aurora, CO, and Brad (Allison) Ewing of Spring, TX. Great grandchildren, Brooklyn Surratt, Abby Ewing, and Jackson Ewing
Her son Gary (Melody) Maskus of Olathe, CO; and grandchildren Carissa Maskus of Eudora, KS; Grant (Maddy) Maskus of Milliken, CO.
Her sisters Dorothy (Bill) Engel of Limon, CO; Kay Willoughby of Denver, CO; Kary Martin of Vidor, TX; Wilda (aka Billie Jean) Johnson of Genoa, CO; and many nephews and nieces.
Memorial Services to be held at a later date.
