Doris Ruth (Walton) Fekete

Nov 8, 1920 - Apr 13, 2017

SOUTH BEND - Doris Ruth (Walton) Fekete, passed away at age 96, on April 13th, 2017, in Newark, Delaware, with her family by her side. Doris was born on November 8, 1920, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Forest Walton and Agnes (Gramencz) Walton. Married for 70 wonderful years, in 2010, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph B. Fekete.

Doris is survived by her children, Susan (Fekete) Lehmann, of South Bend, Indiana, Philip Fekete and his wife Cheryl Fekete of Newark, Delaware. Her grandchildren, Peter Lehmann, Elizabeth Lehmann, Jenifer (Fekete) Santo and Husband Joseph Z. Santo, Lauren Fekete and Elaina Fekete. As well as, great Grandchildren, Kayden Joseph, Arwyn Ruth, and Oliver Philip, and her beloved cat, Tipper.

As a child, Doris loved spending summers at the family farm, near Fort Dodge, Iowa. There, she learned to ride horses. Her favorite horse of all was “Dicky,” and she would treasure the memory of him for the rest of her life. Her horse riding led her to a one-time appearance at the local circus.

Sadly, at the young age of seven, Doris lost her father, Forest, who she loved dearly. Doris and her mother then moved to Chicago, Illinois, to be with family. While living in Chicago, her uncle Erik, saw to it that she experience all the wonders of the city. She even greeted the Graf Zeppelin, in August of 1929, as it landed in Chicago. She later moved to South Bend, Indiana, where she spent most of her life. As a young woman, she learned to fly.

Throughout her life, she loved gardening and filling the yard with trees and flowers, and loved rearranging furniture on a weekly basis. Most important of all was spending precious time with her family and grandchildren.

Doris and Joseph were members of the Holy Trinity Episcopal, where his father was a founding member.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in South Bend, on August 27, 2017, at 10:00 AM.
Published in South Bend Tribune on Aug. 26, 2017

09/06/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182898185/doris-ruth-fekete