Doris Kennell, 97
February 14, 1928 - March 5, 2025
Doris Kennell of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Avera Dougherty Hospice. She was 97 years old.
Doris Evelyn Murphy was born on Valentine’s Day, 1928, to parents George and Myrtle (Martin) Murphy in Powers Lake, North Dakota. Doris was three years old when her father died. She was raised near her grandparents in Iroquois, SD, until her mother moved to Huron for work in 1941. Doris graduated from Huron High School in 1946.
Doris was working as a secretary in Huron when she met Donald “Don” Crane, who had moved from Omaha to South Dakota with Northwestern Bell. They were married in Huron on September 11, 1948. Their first son, Michael, was born there a year later. As Don’s career with the phone company advanced, they moved to several locations in the state, including Rapid City, where they welcomed a second son, Scott. The family was based in Watertown when Don died unexpectedly in 1971.
After Don’s death, Doris moved to Sioux Falls where she accepted an office position with Stewart Enterprises. On March 21, 1975, she married a former high school friend, Eugene “Gene” Kenneth Kennell in Sioux Falls and became stepmother to Brad and Linda Kennell. The couple made their home in Aberdeen where Doris worked for 15 years as the business office administrator for Northern State College. Following her retirement in 1990, she and Gene moved to Sioux Falls.
Doris was a member of Eastern Star, and she and Gene belonged to Westminster Presbyterian Church. The couple enjoyed many years together. They delighted in road trips that took them to various places throughout the United States. Gene passed away in 2017.
Throughout her life, Doris enjoyed the companionship of her pet dogs, most notably Napolean, a Basset Hound, and Pedro and Pancho, a pair of spirited Pekingese. More recently at family gatherings, she became fond of Charlie, a sociable cat who was determined to make Doris his BFF.
Doris was blessed with a sharp intellect. In her later years, she enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, and playing solitaire on her iPad. If her television was on, it was invariably tuned to CNN, where she kept up with current events.
She is survived by her sons: Michael (Candy Hanson) Crane of Sioux Falls and Scott (Lea Ann) Crane of Waxhaw, North Carolina; grandchildren Stacy Crane Thompson, Brian (Ashley) Crane, and Samantha Crane; great-grandchildren Sasha Thompson, and Ellie, Jack, and Renley Crane. She is also survived by her stepson Brad (Shirley) Kennell of Bella Vista, Arkansas; stepdaughter Linda Kennell Eck of Huron; cousin Diane Martin, Lennox, and her best friend for over 50 years, Mary Lou Paulson of Rapid City.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Donald Crane, her second husband, Eugene Kennell, and her great-grandson, Ethan Michael Thompson.
A private family funeral will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society or the charity of your choice.
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