Obituary for Doris Roots
Doris Wakefield Roots, 77, of Big Timber, died Nov 23, 2017, with family at her side.
Doris Wakefield was born June 3, 1940 in Ellensburg, Washington, and grew up on a wheat farm near Endicott, Washington. She graduated from Endicott High School in 1958, and attended Washington State University for two years before earning a Master of Accounts at Kinman Business University in Spokane. In 1965, she met and married Dallas Roots. They lived briefly in Colfax, Washington and Missoula, Montana before settling in Big Timber in 1967, where Dallas opened an accounting practice. Together they had four sons: Joe, Roger, Alex, and Andy. A fifth son, Clayton Clark, died after being born prematurely.
Doris loved bookkeeping, and she helped prepare tax returns with Dallas for many years before she became the clerk of the Big Timber Grade School in 1985. She served in that position for 15 years, retiring in 2000. She handled the books as well for the Bridge School, the Big Timber Lutheran Church, and many other local organizations over the years.
Doris was deeply dedicated to her community, and served on the boards of both the Big Timber Grade School and the Sweet Grass County High School. She was a tough negotiator during her 12 years on the High School Board, and played a pivotal role in extracting concessions from the teachers’ union during contentious contract negotiations in the 1980s. She served on many other local boards and committees, including the Big Timber Park Board; the Big Timber Old Hospital Board; the Sweet Grass Health Care Foundation Board; and the Carnegie Library Board and Endowment Committee. She served as president of the Big Timber Women’s Club; was a charter member of the Hoe and Hope Garden Club; and put in time as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts. During the late 1970s, she came up with the idea for the Cub Scouts’ father/son cake auction that grew into a hugely successful annual fundraising event. In her church, Doris served as both local president and cluster president of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and as both president and vice-president of the church council. And she proudly served for many years as the keeper of the Viking ship for the Sons of Norway.
Doris shared her passion for the game of Bridge by introducing multiple generations through her beginner classes. She was also renowned for her lemon pie, with meringue that was out of this world. Her sons will fondly remember her for her cookies, however, especially the classic Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter.
Doris is survived by four sons: Joseph, of Pittsburgh, PA; Roger, of Livingston, MT; Alexander, of Bozeman, MT; Andrew of Fort Worth, TX; as well as their father Dallas of Big Timber. She is also survived by sister Diane Wakefield, of Pittsburgh, PA and brother Hugh Wakefield, of Endicott, WA; and her beloved grandchildren, Laura, Madeline, Molly, and Henry
Viewing will be from 3-7pm Friday December 1 at Stenberg Funeral Home and funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday December 2 at the Big Timber Lutheran Church.
The family asks that donations be made to the Fully Informed Jury Association or the Big Timber Lutheran Church.
Doris Wakefield was born June 3, 1940 in Ellensburg, Washington, and grew up on a wheat farm near Endicott, Washington. She graduated from Endicott High School in 1958, and attended Washington State University for two years before earning a Master of Accounts at Kinman Business University in Spokane. In 1965, she met and married Dallas Roots. They lived briefly in Colfax, Washington and Missoula, Montana before settling in Big Timber in 1967, where Dallas opened an accounting practice. Together they had four sons: Joe, Roger, Alex, and Andy. A fifth son, Clayton Clark, died after being born prematurely.
Doris loved bookkeeping, and she helped prepare tax returns with Dallas for many years before she became the clerk of the Big Timber Grade School in 1985. She served in that position for 15 years, retiring in 2000. She handled the books as well for the Bridge School, the Big Timber Lutheran Church, and many other local organizations over the years.
Doris was deeply dedicated to her community, and served on the boards of both the Big Timber Grade School and the Sweet Grass County High School. She was a tough negotiator during her 12 years on the High School Board, and played a pivotal role in extracting concessions from the teachers’ union during contentious contract negotiations in the 1980s. She served on many other local boards and committees, including the Big Timber Park Board; the Big Timber Old Hospital Board; the Sweet Grass Health Care Foundation Board; and the Carnegie Library Board and Endowment Committee. She served as president of the Big Timber Women’s Club; was a charter member of the Hoe and Hope Garden Club; and put in time as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts. During the late 1970s, she came up with the idea for the Cub Scouts’ father/son cake auction that grew into a hugely successful annual fundraising event. In her church, Doris served as both local president and cluster president of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and as both president and vice-president of the church council. And she proudly served for many years as the keeper of the Viking ship for the Sons of Norway.
Doris shared her passion for the game of Bridge by introducing multiple generations through her beginner classes. She was also renowned for her lemon pie, with meringue that was out of this world. Her sons will fondly remember her for her cookies, however, especially the classic Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter.
Doris is survived by four sons: Joseph, of Pittsburgh, PA; Roger, of Livingston, MT; Alexander, of Bozeman, MT; Andrew of Fort Worth, TX; as well as their father Dallas of Big Timber. She is also survived by sister Diane Wakefield, of Pittsburgh, PA and brother Hugh Wakefield, of Endicott, WA; and her beloved grandchildren, Laura, Madeline, Molly, and Henry
Viewing will be from 3-7pm Friday December 1 at Stenberg Funeral Home and funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday December 2 at the Big Timber Lutheran Church.
The family asks that donations be made to the Fully Informed Jury Association or the Big Timber Lutheran Church.
To plant a tree in memory of Doris Roots, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
1
Dec
3:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Stenberg Funeral Home
215 Anderson Street
PO Box 723
Big Timber, MT 59011
Funeral Service
Saturday
2
Dec
11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Big Timber Lutheran Church
115 West 4th Avenue
PO Box 278
Big Timber, MT 59011
Cemetery Details
Location
Mountain View Cemetery
West of Big Timber
Big Timber, MT 59011
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