Alzheimer’s claims longtime Las Vegan

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2005 | 11:21 a.m.

Doris Wellendorf was all about family and the holidays.

One of 10 children, she raised a family of five and taught her children that no matter how heated arguments between siblings got, "you always forgive."

And she was a wizard in the kitchen, whether she was cooking the Thanksgiving Day turkey for the brood or whipping up a batch of cabbage and turnips, a favorite from her roots in Newfoundland.

Doris Martha Wellendorf died Tuesday of Alzheimer's disease with her husband and children at her bedside at Boulder City Hospital. She was 70.

For 15 years prior to being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in the early 1990s, Doris was an administrative assistant at property management firms that oversaw time share properties in Las Vegas and Pahrump.

"Having grown up in a large family, my mother wanted both a big family of her own and a career," said her daughter, Chris Wellendorf, director of production-desktop systems for the Greenspun Companies. The Greenspun family owns the Las Vegas Sun.

Born Doris White and raised in Newfoundland in northeast Canada, she met U.S. Air Force technician Ronald Wellendorf when he was stationed in St. John's. After they got married, he brought her to the United States, but she remained a Canadian citizen throughout her life.

Doris spent 20 years supporting her husband in the military until Ron retired in 1975. He was by Doris' side throughout her battle with Alzheimer's.

Her hobbies were dancing, singing and entertaining others. Her love for entertainment extended beyond her family. Doris would also perform in USO shows for soldiers while her husband was stationed at Air Force bases. She was an avid seamstress -- making clothes for her children and grandchildren -- and also a den mother for the Boy Scouts and a bowling instructor.

At Christmas, Doris Wellendorf took over the garage of her home, filling it with a Christmas figurine city, complete with a model train running through the miniature ceramic-home village.

During her lengthy illness, Doris still participated in family events until about a year ago, her family said, noting that despite the degenerative nature of the brain disease, she remembered her family.

"My parents' never-ending love for each other, compassion and support built the foundation that their children and grandchildren live by today," Chris Wellendorf said.

"Alzheimer's disease can take a person's memories, but there is much more to the disease. Though some would say that the family lost Doris too soon to this awful disease, Doris always knew when her family was around. Call it intuition or call it love. Doris always handed out her hugs and kisses to all that loved her. The memories Doris gave to her family will forever outshine what this memory-loss disease took away."

Chris Wellendorf added, "This disease has guided many of her family members, especially the grandchildren, to enter into a career of caring for others, including working with kids, caring for the elderly, and psychology.

"Doris may have lost her memories, but the memories she gave to those who loved her will live forever."

Ed Koch can be reached at 259-4090 or at koch@lasvegassun.com.