Doris E. "Tootsie" Englund

HAMILTON - Doris Evelyn Englund, 93, of Hamilton passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016 at Discovery Care Centre in Hamilton.

Tootsie was born in the plains of Cascade County, Montana in October of 1922.  Her father, Martin Roseburg and mother, Elma Roseburg had brought older sister Helen and brother Buster into the world a few years before, and then added to the family a few years later with little brother, Sonny. 

Doris spent her childhood and teenage years along the Montana Hi-line, graduating from Turner in 1941.  Nine days after graduating, Doris married the love of her life, Alvin Englund.  She and Al moved around as young couples do, and ended up in California while Al was serving in the U.S. Army. 

About a year after exchanging vows, they welcomed their first daughter, Helen Lee.  They welcomed second daughter Barbara into the family while still under the California sun.  The family of four moved back to the Montana Hi-line, where Doris and Al welcomed their son Russell.  Soon after, the family moved for the last time, finding a home in Hamilton.

Doris raised and cared for her family with all her heart, and was the rock solid foundation for the family.  She became involved in the Hamilton community, working here and there, most notably at the JC Penney store for over two decades. She was a member of the Eagles Lodge for over 50 years, as well as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary since the mid 1970s.  Some time after moving to a quiet house on Mill Street, Doris met her new neighbor, and soon-to-be best friend, Bertie.  Toots and Bertie barely went a day without speaking to each other, always meeting for a cup of coffee or a walk around the neighborhood.  They would attend services at Faith Lutheran together, meet with friends for lunch, and continually strengthen the bond of being life long friends.  The Mill Street house became the epicenter for her family. 

Doris loved being surrounded by family and friends, and was ever the host. Every holiday was a chance for her to cook and bake and entertain her growing family. She was always the last person in the kitchen and the last one to the table.  With the loss of Al in 1993, she continued being surrounded by family and welcomed a few four-legged friends into her life.  Her kitties, Bootsie and Princess were her constant companions; in the house, in her garden, they were never far from her side.

Toots left peacefully to be by Al's side the morning of July 10th.  She is survived by brother, Donald “Sonny” Roseburg of Glacier, MT; brother, Robert “Buster” Roseburg of Holtville, CA; daughter, Helen Lee Wickman of Salmon, ID; daughter, Barb Tester and husband George of Hamilton; son, Russ Englund and wife Kim of Hamilton; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by husband, Al Englund and sister, Helen Van Brunt.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2016 from 9:00 am until 10:30 am at the Daly-Leach Chapel.  Graveside services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 am at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.  There will be a reception following the services in the Daly-Leach Chapel Community Room.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.