Doris Jane Sowers, 72, of Hutchinson, died February 5, 2010, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.

She was born May 14, 1937, in Nemaha County, Nebraska, on the family farm. She was the daughter of Walter J. & Marjorie M. Hiatt Stenzel.

She graduated from Hamburg High School, Hamburg, IA, and attended Peru State Teachers College, Peru, Nebraska.

A Hutchinson and Lyons, KS resident since 1963, moving from Lincoln, NE, she was a homemaker and legal secretary/bookkeeper. Having worked in private law offices as well as the Nebraska State Legislature, Hutchinson National Bank, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Rice County District Court and Rice County Highway Department, she was co-owner of the former Sparks Aviation, Inc., Hutchinson.

She was a member of Forest Park Presbyterian Church, where she had served as an Elder and later as church treasurer. She served as a member of the nominating committee for the Presbytery of Southern Kansas. She was a member of the Estes Family Association (Descendants of Joel Estes) and served as their secretary/treasurer for eleven years; a former member of Sweet Adelines and the Classic Affair Quartet; and was a former member of a local Duplicate Bridge Club.

On April 6, 1962, she married Alvin Leo Sowers at Lincoln, NE. He survives.

Other survivors include: son, Alvin L. Sowers, Jr. and wife Debbie, Lyons; grandson, Nicholas W. Sowers and his fiancé, Andrea Crider and son Elijah, Pratt; sister, W. Jean Smith, Savannah, MO; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2010, at Forest Park Presbyterian Church, Hutchinson, with Pastor Thomas Robson presiding. Friends may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to the church, or The Arthritis Foundation, in care of the mortuary. Cremation has taken place.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences for the family.