Rosalynd Ruth Doerr

May 8, 1938 – Nov. 3, 2024

Rosalynd Ruth Schmidt Doerr, 86, of Cody passed away November 3, 2024, surrounded by her entire loving family from complications due to a stroke and a courageous battle with dementia.

Rosalynd was born May 8, 1938, in Worland to Henry and Alice Schmidt. She was an only child. Later, the family moved to Seattle, Washington. As a child growing up in Washington she talked vividly of the Japanese invasion during World War II. During air raids they would have to pull their window shades and shut off all lights and go to a place of safety in their home. 

During her high school years Roz had to quit school to care for her grandmother while her mother went to work for Boeing Aircraft during the war.

As a teenager, in the summer months Rosalynd would stay with her aunt in Lovell. At a community dance she met Ted Doerr. They dated and corresponded for two years while Ted was in the service. Then on leave the two were married. During the 25-year marriage they had six children.

Rosalynd had a full-time job as a wife, homemaker, care giver and mother, and she did this out of exceptional love for her family. She had love and patience of Job but a firm hand for discipline. She was a devout Christian and devoted her life to Christ. She was active in the Lutheran Church in Lovell and in her community.

She never missed a school event or activity for her children. That is how much she was devoted to her family.

Rosalynd was an exceptional cook and had one of the biggest gardens in Lovell, along with getting yard of the month several times. Roz helped her husband, Ted, with the family farm. For several years she drove a truck to the Co-op and Cody selling sweet corn every year for 75 cents a dozen to raise money for school clothes for her children.

Rosalynd later moved to Cody and became involved in the Native American culture and became immersed in their tools and spiritual ways. She was also involved as a member of the 49ers rock club and the Cody Archeological club. She was a donor for ASPA, the Cody Humane Society and Best Friends animal sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. 

She also donated to St. Joseph’s Indian School mission for displaced Lakota children to insure that Native American children had clothing, food and supplies for the church organization. She was a member of the Wilderness Society and an active member of the Cody raptor and birds club.

While living in Cody Rosalynd had many jobs. She worked for Thomas Apostle center in Cody and the Cody Recreation department in the summers. She became the CEO of the family trucking business. She had an impeccable mind for business and money, and in that time she bought her own home in Cody, where she lived for more than 25 years.

Rosalynd was a tomboy through and through. She preferred and loved the freedom of just being outdoors either camping, hiking or fishing. Just being in nature was where she was the happiest and most content. She was a sojourner, true explorer, loved adventure and also was a traveler, seeing and visiting all the western states and several southern states. Rosalynd was a topographer. She loved maps and had a huge collection in her home.

Rosalynd was also a birder and had a bucket of knowledge and information regarding North American birds. She had a large library of North American birds and raptors. She was a self-educated archeologist and knew the northern tribes – their tools, customs and cultures. Two of her children still carry on that love of archeology and the Native American culture.

After her retirement she became involved with volunteering and helping with the Presbyterian Church in Cody, working for the Thomas Apostle center. Rosalynd never had an unkind word and always put others ahead of herself. She was a very giving and loving person. Well into her 70s and early 80s she was still an active outdoors woman and hiked in the mountains and hills frequently with her daughter Terre, son Wyatt and daughter-in-law Amy.

Roz was preceded in death by her mother, Alice Woodrow Schmidt, father Hank Schmidt, husband Ted Doerr, youngest son Chris Doerr, daughter-in-law Leah Doerr and son-in-law Gene Schmidt.

Rosalynd is survived by her daughter, Terre Johnsey, son Dale Doerr, daughter-in-law Teresa Doerr, daughter Heidi Schmidt, son Wyatt Doerr, daughter-in-law Amy Doerr, daughter Bonnie Asay, half brother David Schmidt, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Per Rosalynd’s wishes cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life will take place this coming spring on May 8, her 87^th birthday and Mother’s Day.

Her daughter Terre Johnsey would like to thank sister Heidi Schmidt, brother Wyatt Doerr, sister-in-law Amy Doerr, sister Bonnie Asay and her good friends and next door neighbors for helping and giving loving support during Roz’s last four years with dementia.

One of Rosalynd’s favorite prayers was the Native American Prayer. I give you this one thought to keep.

I am with you still! I do not sleep as I am a thousand winds that blow across the high prairies. I am the sparkling diamond glints on the high mountain snows. I am your morning sun on the ripened fall grains. I am a gentle, warm autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am your swift uplifting eagles rush, I am quiet song birds in circled flight. I am the soft, twinkling stars that cast their bright glow on you at night. I am the mountain high flowers in springtime. Do not think of me as gone as I am always with you in your memories still in each new dawn.