Doris M. Dybing

Doris was born Doris Mae Charlotte Johnson on October 30, 1927, in Upsala, Minn., on the family farm.  Her father died when she was in grade school and her mother stayed on and ran the farm with the help of all her siblings.  During high school she talked her way out of Home Economics as she disliked sewing, and instead took shop class where she built a coffee table that is still in use today.  She graduated from Upsala High School in 1945 and wanted to go to nursing school, but there was no open enrollment until late fall.  Instead, she took a test that qualified her to teach school in North Dakata.  She started teaching in Wildrose, N. Dak., when she was 17 years old, in the same one room country school house where her future husband had gone years earlier.

While teaching, she stayed with a local farm couple that had a small fixed-wing airplane.  The farmer taught her to fly and she soloed in the airplane when she was still 18.  Doris met her future husband Trygve Dybing when he returned to Wildrose on a hunting trip.  They were united in marriage on June 26, 1948, in Upsala, Minn.

Doris and Trygve lived on rented farms for a few years near Lanesboro, Minn., until they settled on the home farm three miles north of Highland, Minn., where they farmed for many years and raised their family.  She worked nine years in the quality control department at Rush Products in Rushford, Minn.  One of her favorite jobs was innkeeper at a bed & breakfast in Lanesboro.  “Aunt Doris” was adored by her guests.  The amazing home-cooked breakfast and pies were a plus!

She was especially known for her cooking and baking, especially her legendary homemade meatballs, buns and coffee cake.  But above all else, she was a devoted wife and mother, and maintained a strong faith that she carried with her all her life.  She was adored and loved by all her children and grandchildren, as much as she loved them. 

She is survived by four children: Thomas (Carol) Dybing of Lanesboro, Minn., Mary Triplett of Atlanta, Ga., Philip (Heidi) Dybing of Lanesboro, Minn., and Kristi Wahlers of Carlisle, Iowa; 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.  

She was preceded in death by her husband Trygve, two sons, Rodney and a baby boy; and a granddaughter, Ruth Triplett.

Celebration of Doris’ life will be held December 27, 2023, at Elstad Lutheran Church, rural Lanesboro.  Visitation is 12  p.m., with the service at 1 p.m., followed by coffee and cookies at the church.  Doris’ favorite time of day was afternoon coffee with her longtime friends Evie, Helen, Darlys and Marilyn.

Memorials are requested to go to Elstad Lutheran Church in rural Lanesboro.

Johnson-Riley Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Lanesboro is assisting the Dybing family with arrangements.  Online condolences are welcome at rileyfuneralhomes.com.