Doris Elaine (Rhoades) Liester

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Oct. 16, 1930 -March 9, 2015

SALIDA, Colo. -- Doris Elaine (Rhoades) Liester was born in Culbertson, Nebraska, on Oct. 16, 1930, to Geraldine and Lester Rhoades. She passed away on March 9, 2015, in Salida, Colorado.

Shortly after birth, Doris family moved to western Kansas, where she spent her childhood and high school years. She married Forest Liester in December of 1948 and they soon moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where they raised five children.

During Doris' time in Colorado Springs, she babysat for many families and eventually enrolled at Pikes Peak Community College to study early childhood development. She found employment at a daycare center and worked there for years.

In 1983, Doris relocated to Montrose, Colorado, where she retired from the daycare business. She did motel work for awhile and eventually began working for Walmart on the night shift, unloading trucks of merchandise. It was hard work, but she really enjoyed her job and her coworkers. At the age of 70, she finally retired and enjoyed life in her little apartment in Montrose. Doris loved the Colorado mountains. She and her best friend would walk the trails around the town for hours and never tire of the beauty around them.

The most important part of Doris' life was her family. If any of the kids, grandkids or great-grandkids were coming to visit, she would be so excited that she wouldn't sleep well the night before.

She was preceded in death by her two sons, Tom and Bruce and a brother, Bob Rhoades.

Doris is survived by her beloved sister, Evelyn Hook (Jack) of Indianola, Nebraska; daughters, Terry Ausec (Jim) of Florence, Arizona, Brenda Flemming (Paul) of Salida, and Kendra Liester (Dean) of Loveland, Colorado; along with nine grandchildren. Nine great-grandchildren also had the pleasure of meeting her before her passing and many neices, nephews and friends.

Private services will be held at a later date.