Doris Ruby (Hesse) Malwitz, 95, passed on Friday, May 21, 2021, at the Thief River Care Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Plummer, MN. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN.  Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Red Lake Falls, MN.

Doris Ruby Hesse-Malwitz was born February 19, 1926, along with twin brother Donald William Hesse, to George and Alma (Lothert) Hesse. This glorious event took place on the family farm 5 miles northwest of Plummer, MN. Doris was baptized and confirmed in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. Doris graduated from Pershing High School in Plummer, Minnesota, in 1944. On January 3, 1947, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Malwitz, and through this marriage, they had 6 children.

They lived on the farm and raised the 6 children 1 mile from Plummer, milking cows and farming. Doris was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Plummer, serving as a Sunday school teacher for many years also serving in many positions of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League.  In 1969, she attended the Lutheran Women Missionary League international convention.  It was the first time she flew in an airplane to Houston, TX. She was a member and served in several positions in the Aid Association for Lutherans, now know as Thrivent. She held various offices in the Plummer American Legion Auxiliary #623 and was made an honorary lifetime member of the Legion Auxiliary after 70 years of service.  Doris also was a member of the Plummer Senior Citizens Club.

Doris was employed at Oklee Manufacturing, and she cleaned the Plummer Municipal Liquor Store for many years.  Some of her children can testify to the many early Sunday morning cleanings. She was an assistant cook at the Plummer School and manager/caretaker/secretary/treasurer of the Sr. Citizen homes in Plummer. She worked as a chef at Third Base Restaurant and Lounge in Brooks, MN.  Doris began working part-time at Digi-Key in Thief River Falls, MN, and the Plummer Post Office for several years, until her retirement in 2000 at the age of 74 years. Doris loved the farm, and it was not an easy decision, but in 2014 Doris moved to Valley Home in Thief River Falls, MN, due to health reasons and then moved to the Thief River Care Center, where she spent the rest of her days.

Doris enjoyed crocheting, knitting, jigsaw puzzles, feeding, and watching her hummingbirds. She loved spending time with family and friends, playing games and telling stories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, baking each of them their favorite treats, and always helping anyone in need

Doris is survived by her six children: Arleen (Robert) Slick of Baudette; Barbara (Donovan) Culkins of Plummer; Wayne (Vicky) Malwitz of Plummer; Kevin (Gloria) Malwitz of Thief River Falls, MN; Connie Peterson of Middle River, MN; Jodi (Tom) Milford of Warroad, MN, 14 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren with 1 on the way, 1 great-great-grandchild on the way; 1 brother Melvin Hesse of Plummer, 4 sisters-in-law: Loretta Hesse, Peggy Hesse, Lila Brekke, and Colleen Malwitz.

She was preceded in death by her parents George and Alma, 1 grandson Seth Culkins, 6 sisters; Myrtle, Helen, Sarah, Marion, Harriet, Eva, 4 brothers Twin Donald, Floyd, Sylvester, Ivan, 8 nieces and 2 nephews, 1 great-granddaughter.