Doris Marie Strom, 83, of Rapid City, SD, passed away Sept. 17, 2016, in Rapid City. A celebration of life service will be Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church in Rapid City.

Doris Marie Strom was born June 28, 1933, in Chicago, IL, to Michael and Maria Magdalena (Reitz) Strom.  When her father entered the ministry, the family moved to Boston, MA, where she attended Girls' Latin School and Lexington Christian Academy.

In 1948, the family moved to Oxford, NE, where she graduated from high school as valedictorian in 1948.  That fall, Doris Marie enrolled at Sioux Falls College (now the University of Sioux Falls), graduating in 1953 with a bachelor's degree in music and music education.  She earned her master's degree in English from the University of South Dakota in 1969.

In 1954, Doris Marie married James A. Stoeckmann.  Three children were born to them: James Arthur, Jr., Michael Reuben, and Elizabeth Maria.  After 25 years the marriage ended.

Doris Marie's career was varied:  Assistant to the Pastor and Youth Director at First Baptist Church in St. Paul, MN; music and English teacher in Sioux Falls, Irene, Philip, Canton, and Baltic, SD.

In 1974, she joined the Prudential Insurance Company as a special agent in the Aberdeen office and was the company's first woman agent in South Dakota. In 1976, she became the first woman division manager in the nation.  In 1979, she moved to Rapid City where she completed the 13 courses for Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations.

In 1980, Doris Marie married Edward R. McLaughlin.  During her years in Rapid City, she was a member of First Congregational Church where she sang in the choir, did piano and voice soloing, and directed the choir, retiring as Choir Director Emerita.  She taught several English courses at National American University.  In 1986, she began working for the Rapid City Journal as Newspaper in Education Director and later as Promotion Manager.  During her time at the Journal, she helped initiate the Annual Literacy Breakfast and the Spelling Bee.  She was a founding mother of the Literacy Network.  As an adjunct instructor for South Dakota State University, she taught Newspaper in Education classes at several South Dakota sites.

During her many years of joyful activity,  she served as member and chair of the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Cultural Affairs Committee, member of the 13-person Leadership Circle of the Rapid City Area Cultural Plan, member and President of Altrusa Club, a member (since 1964) of the P.E.O. sisterhood, the Black Hills Community Theatre Well Done Players, and the Black Hills Symphony Chamber Music Elder Musik program. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, serving as Co-Vice President of Program and as Co-President, and in 2006, was honored as Named Gift Honoree. In 2011, Doris Marie was a Chamber of Commerce Rushmore Honors recipient.  The Rapid City Rotary Club named her a Paul Harris Fellow in 2015 for "service to the community, nation, and world."

Doris Marie loved to entertain and cook for her friends and family, garden, sing, play the piano, paint, read, and write.  In 1996, she authored a collection of short stories, 'In The Village', and in 1999, co-authored 'Reflections' with Maryann Jacob and Gail Sudman.  Her writing has been published in various magazines and periodicals, including the University of South Dakota's '2001 Literary Project.'

Doris Marie and husband Ed enjoyed their work together at The Prudential Insurance Company, the political years when Ed served as Rapid City Common Council Member, Rapid City Mayor, and as District 34 Representative in the SD legislature.  They traveled extensively and experienced many memorable adventures.

After living in their West Main home for 34 years, the couple moved to St. Martin Village where Doris Marie led a yoga class, assisted with music for the chapel services, contributed to the facility's newsletter, and initiated The St. Martin Village Players.

Surviving are: her loving husband, Ed, of Rapid City; sisters Cynthia Strom (Curt Ireland) and Michelle (Kenneth) Farrar; children James Stoeckmann (Katie Kolossa) and Mike (Kyle) Stoeckmann, Tempe, AZ, Elizabeth (George) Ledbetter, Chadron, NE; Myrle McLaughlin, Torrington, WY; Gary McLaughlin, Saginaw, TX; grandchildren Derek, Doug, Melissa, Tara Jewel, Kailas, Geoffrey, Bence and Dora; niece Christi, nephews Brian, Jason and Lane.

She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant brother, Stanford Henry.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to The First Congregational Church, 1200 Clark Street, Rapid City.