Christopher Camp: 2017

DORIS LILLIAN CHRISTOPHER

Doris Esther Christopher (6-10-1923—7-11-1976 ) was the tenth child born to Inga and Carl Christopher at home in Medina, North Dakota. Her siblings are: Glenn Arthur, Jan 7, 1904; Alfred Clifford, Mar. 24, 1907; Roy Willard, Aug 10, 1910; Ruth Lillian, Aug 10, 1912; Lauren Ivan and Lester Carl Aug.5, 1914; Kenneth Orvin, Sept 7, 1916; Otto Vernon, Dec.19, 1918; Robert Norman, March 29,1921; and Don Edwin, Sept.10, 1925.

When Doris was small she used to play with dolls, but the boys would take her dolls and scalp them. She liked to watch her brothers box each other and grab rattlesnakes by their tails and snap them. She even tried to snap rattlesnakes herself. Doris moved from Medina to Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, in 1938 then to Arlee, Montana during her elementary school years. She always helped Don with his homework. Doris was very artistic and musical. She loved to dance. Often Don would play guitar and she would dance and sing on the streets down town for nickels.

Don at 2 and Doris at 4

Lester, Blondie, Doris, Albert in 1941

Albert and Doris Paul 1941

She met Albert Paul at Arlee High School and married him in June 12, 1941 in Missoula. Her brother, Lester, was married at the same time at the Missoula County Court House. They lived in Missoula on 6^th street for 12 years while Albert worked at the lumber mill. Their three girls, Esther, Barbara and Sharon were all born in Missoula.

Doris Albert and Esther

Barbara and Esther welcome baby Sharon

Doris holding Sharon, Albert with Barbara and Esther

Their place on 6th street seemed to be the gathering place whenever family get-to-gethers were held. Often they would host a potluck in their backyard for the Christopher Camp.

Grandpa Carl with Margie, Barbara, Gloria, Esther, and Faye in back
George, Donna, and Sharon in front

Barbara and Sharon with Uncle Don

Doris with sister Ruth

They moved to Dixon, Montana around 1955. There she and Albert owned and operated the Paul Mercantile for 17 years. Doris was the drive behind the success of the store. She handled all the financial part of the business. She never did learn to drive, so Albert did all the driving to get products for the store. They made a great team. Doris attended church every Sunday and mostly enjoyed being home with her girls and working in the store when they were at school.

Esther at family owned store in Sept 1959

Esther graduated from Montana State University and then took nursing training in Bozeman, Billings and Great Falls. Barbara worked as an assistant at Missoula Western Credit Union and Sharon worked in Home Health Care and became a Certified Nursing Assistant at an Alzheimer’s facility.

Doris at Flathead Lake 1956

1956 Barbara, Esther, with cousin Dennis Skofstad
Sharon with cousin Jim Skofstad

Doris and Albert sold the store in Dixon and retired to Yuma, Arizona in 1972. They often returned to Missoula in fact they traveled back and forth every year or so until Doris died on July 11, 1976. Doris loved writing letters and especially the family Round Robin letters. She was always on top of things and would write back immediately to anyone sending her a letter. She enjoyed traveling and visiting with her grandchildren. Doris is known for her sweet, kind and quiet manner.