Doris Terrill, 78, departed this life at home on Tuesday, May 12, after defeating cancer but then acquiring the very rare JC Virus, for which there is no known cure.

Doris was born on July 7, 1936 in Newton, Iowa, the daughter of John and Harriet Drake. She attended a one room country school through the elementary school years, often riding her pony to school. Her father even built a small pony barn on the school grounds to house "Smokey". She then attended Newton High School, graduating in 1954. After high school she attended St. Luke's School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1957.

Doris grew up on a farm and was never happier than when helping her father care for the live stock or working in the fields. She especially seemed to like helping make hay.

During her teen age years she accepted Jesus Christ as her Personal Savior. This decision changed and directed her life for the remainder of her years. It was her intimate relationship with Christ that guided her life, assured her of eternity with Him, and was the source of her peace throughout her illness.

On November 29, 1957 she was united in marriage to Phil Terrill, then a student at Northwestern College in Minneapolis, as they prepared for ministry. During the college years she worked in a pediatrician's office and for a short time at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association office in Minneapolis, as well as taking Bible classes at Northwestern.

Upon Phil's graduation they moved to Milford, Iowa where they had been asked to help start a new church. When the church was established and a small building constructed, in which she took an active part, they moved to Denver, CO where she earned her PHT (Putting Hubby Through) degree from Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary by working first in a hospital and then in a blood bank.

Doris was always a frugal, generous, selfless and supportive pastor's wife, always occupying the background supportive role, doing the behind the scenes work that is generally not recognized. After seminary graduation they served churches in Falls City, NE, Chippewa Falls, WI, Aitkin, MN and Chamberlain, SD. After retiring in SD in 1998 they served churches in Cambridge, NE, Eau Claire, WI, Superior, WI and Iron River, WI. in the role of Interim Pastor, where Doris continued to serve in her inconspicuous supportive way. At the time of her illness she was still supporting her husband in the role of Visitation Pastor at Mount of Olives Baptist Church in Duluth, MN. Throughout her lifetime she touched many lives in very significant ways. During her illness the family has been made aware of lives she touched in previously unknown ways. She is remembered by many for her love and hospitality.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, a sister-in-law, Marie Drake, two brothers-in-law, Ralph and Jerry Terrill.

She is survived by her husband, Phil, Superior, WI, son Paul (Jill) of Grand Marais, MN, daughters Nancy (Bernie)Scheller of White Bear Lake, MN and Lynn (Nate) Sheils of Grand Marais, and ten grandchildren, brother Don Drake of Littleton, CO, brother and sister-in-law Don and Pat Terrill of Bloomington, IL, sisters-in-law Margaret Keenan and Florann Reed of Santa Barbara, CA, and Ruth Terrill, Stone Mountain, GA, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be two hours prior to the 11:00 a.m. service on Friday, May 15, at Mount of Olives Baptist Church, 1500 Swan Lake Road, Duluth, MN, with pastor Paul Anderson officiating. Burial will be in the Wisconsin Veteran's Cemetery, Spooner, WI.

Pallbearers will be Bill Peterson, Mark Stewart, Larry Filmore, Dan Romans, Ron Sorenson and Keith Richmond.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Homan Alkaied, nurse Kari, the staff of the St. Luke's Cancer Center in Duluth, and St. Luke's hospice for the exceptional and caring treatment received by Doris during her illness, and to their church family at Mount of Olives Baptist Church for the loving support received in many ways.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts are requested to be given to Gideons International or Samaritan's Purse.