Doreen Alexander

Doreen (McKenzie) Alexander of Polson passed away on July 22 after a recent illness. Born in Canada on January 5, 1929 in Elbow, Saskatchewan to immigrant parents, just in time for the Great Depression where her early years were spent with her family working various farms in the province. She often travelled to the one room school house either by horse or in the winter time by sleigh keeping a watchful eye out for hungry wolves. She finished her education by correspondence school and then went in to Prince Albert to a business college. She said she had to go into business because she knew she would be a terrible secretary because she hated shorthand. She worked at a clothing store when she met a skinny sailor named Harold from River Street who she spent the next 51 years. Their first apartment was over a chicken hatchery and 8 years later, over the protests of their families, packed up their son as and moved to Polson. They ran a print shop called AC Printers and Doreen worked for Helmer and Harris, the local Chevrolet Dealer. She wasn't fond of Polson at first and spent her first days with the drapes closed. Being raised on the prairie the mountains and lake made her feel claustrophobic. She soon got over it and was instrumental in the fund-raising for the new wing of the Polson hospital. They later packed up their two sons and had a brief stint in Olympia, WA and then Glasgow, MT. Harold came home one night and told Doreen he wanted to buy a business back in Polson. So in 1964 they started a string of successful businesses on Main St. First there was the 'Malt Shop' across from the movie theatre. To her dying day she said she could smell hamburger cooking every time she heard a Beach Boys song. Then the 'Hut Caf��sh' at the north end of Main St and finally, her dream business. She bought Pearce's Style Shoppe, moved it to 210 Main St and renamed it Doreen's Fashions. She went to market and bought clothes with certain customers in mind, then would phone them when the garment came in and it usually went home with the customer. She also saved many a harried husband on Christmas Eve who rushed in at the last minute. In between she was active as Treasurer of the Polson Museum, Lady Shrine Lady Elks and bowled a frame or two. They built a home on the lake and liked nothing more than to watch the moon come up over the Mission Mountains. After they retired (much too early for her liking) they wintered in Arizona and summered in the Flathead and snuck in a few weeks in Hawaii. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren voraciously. She enjoyed bowling trips with the girls, camping, a cup of coffee with a cigarette, her flowers, crossword puzzles, a game of scrabble, a good cribbage game, a cocktail and dropping a dollar or two in a slot machine. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two sisters and a brother. She is survived by her loving sons Terry (Donna) Alexander, Seattle: Tom (MaryAnn) Alexander, Butte: grandchildren Kim (Tom) Maloney, Stanwood, WA: Chanel (Tim) Lake, Polson: Jeffrey Alexander and Brian Alexander, Seattle: Corey (Carol) McGreevey, Butte: and Mac Alexander, Butte: 12 great-grandchildren: a sister, Janet Hanson and a brother Jim (Betty) McKenzie: brother-in-law Allan (Gladys) Alexander and sister-in-law Fran Currie and many nieces and nephews of Canada. Visitation will be at Grogan Funeral home on Tuesday, July 27, from 3 to 8 PM with funeral services at the First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, July 28 ,at 10 AM in Polson. Interment will follow a Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, mom would appreciate a donation to the Lady Elk's Scholarship fund (C/O Gracie Schumacher 104 6th Ave. East Polson, MT 59860) to help young ladies start their careers or to the charity of your choice. Condolences to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com
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