Doris Jean Boatman (Davis), age 96, passed away on April 16, 2025, at the St. Croix Health Center in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. A longtime resident of Arden Hills, Minnesota, Doris most recently lived in North Branch, Minnesota, where she remained close to her beloved family.

Doris was born on March 16, 1929, in Graham, Missouri, to Lloyd Joseph Davis and Ida Maude Kent (Radke). She attended the Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs, Iowa. On February 2, 1948, she married the love of her life, Arnold Robert Boatman. Together, they built a home filled with love, raising five children and creating a legacy of family that now spans four generations.

A true Matriarch, Doris devoted her life to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. Throughout her life, she loved to read, crochet, travel and visit with those she cared about. She loved to dance, lay out in the sun, drink coffee and have the occasional beer. Known for her classic beauty and impeccable sense of style, she carried herself with elegance and poise, often saying more through her presence than words ever could.

Doris was preceded in death by her beloved husband Arnold, her mother Ida, her sisters Fern Clark and Leona Meyer, and her brother Ralph Davis. She is survived by her brother Gilbert Davis, and her five children: Betty Jo Halverson (Gary), Robin Yannarelly, Cheryl Acri, Penny Boatman, and Randy Boatman (Terri). She also leaves behind 12 cherished grandchildren—Troy Halverson (Katrease), Darrel Halverson (Dayna), Linsey Halverson (Shannon), Stacy Yannarelly, Tommy Yannarelly, Nicole Acri (James), Nicholas Acri (Kayla), Ashley Boatman (Ramon), Arnold Boatman (Nicole), Andrew Boatman, Grace Boatman, and Sam Boatman—and 17 great-grandchildren who will carry forward her memory and the lessons she quietly taught through a life of genuine selflessness and love.

Those who knew Doris will remember her infectious laugh, her love of the color purple, her gracious and giving spirit, and the enduring love she showed for her children and grandchildren. She gave freely, and never asked for anything in return. Her legacy is one of strength, warmth, and unconditional love.

A graveside service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, 2400 210th St., Luck, Wisconsin 54853. All who loved her are welcome to attend.

Last Update: Apr 28, 2025 1:19 pm CDT