Doris Jean Margaret Conzet (nee Schoening) Age 85, of Greenfield MN, departed peacefully and swiftly, on her terms, January 20, 2019 at North Memorial Hospital. Doris was born March 4, 1933 in Greenwood Township (now the City of Greenfield). Preceded in death by husband, James L. Conzet; parents, Susan M. (Ferrian) and Arthur B. Schoening Sr; sister, Donna Mae (Robert) Roehl; brother, Arthur L. Schoening Jr; and son-in-law, Terry Shapiro. Also preceded in death by Conzet brothers and sisters-in law: Glen (Bernadine and Clarion), Vernon (Lillian), Floyd (Lois), Russell (Eileen), Alice Harff (Lawrence), and Elaine Harff (Millard).

Doris was a Registered Nurse, Mayor and Community Activist. She got stuff done. She graduated from Buffalo High School in in 1951 and worked for the Hennepin County Auditor from 1951-1953 prior to attending and graduating from the College of St. Catherine in 1956 with a degree in nursing. Married in 1957, she started her nursing career specializing in OB/GYN in the Minneapolis office of Drs. Lange, Shandorf and Musty and then as a charge nurse at North Memorial Hospital. She finished her 40-year nursing career as a geriatric patient care coordinator at St. Therese Care Center in New Hope, MN with retirement in 1996.

Doris convinced the Hanover Chamber of Commerce to make her a member in the late 1960’s when women were not allowed membership. Through that empowerment, she spearheaded legislative action for telephone service extending outreach of the greater Twin Cities. She served on the Greenfield Planning Commission from 1970-1980 and as Mayor of Greenfield from 1980-1986 fighting a proposed landfill and being instrumental in a task force to start recycling in Hennepin County. She also served 25 years on the Board of Directors for Common Hope-Maple Terrace in Maple Plain. She was a charter member of the North Dakota Pottery Collectors Society, the National Toothpick Holder Collector’s Society, Women of the American Legion, and one of her last joys –The Greenfield History Society of Hennepin County. Doris, and her husband Jim, proudly supported countless Native American causes including the capital campaign for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and she was a fierce advocate for organizations serving their communities through food shelf/pantry programs and offering senior services.

She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Conzet and grandson Zachary Shapiro (Kristine Rutoski); son, John and daughter-in-law Brenda; special grandchildren, Todd and Troy Bruseke, Charlotte and Colin Culhane; and many nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, as well as sister-in-laws Carol Dixon (Dean) and Gloria Schoening. Her independence at home was supported by an extensive angel SWAT team of Nancy McShane, Valerie Bridgman, Tammy Uttermark, Chris Ritter, Karlene and Rolly Jendro, Bill Schoening, Susan Ruchti, Mary Jane Culhane, Donetta Wallace, Shirley Harff, Elwyn and Joanne Manthei and other family members, friends and neighbors. Her sense of gratitude was extraordinary and even in her last days, she thanked every single person she encountered for even the smallest gesture or provided care. She departed pain-free in the early morning of what would be a spectacular Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse and now leaves it to all of us to make our world a better place. She would expect nothing less.

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 10:30 AM with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM at The Peterson Chapel in St. Michael, MN.