Doris Maxine (Wild) Cress passed away Monday January 26, 2015 in Olathe, KS at the age of 91. Doris was born as an only child to mother Esther (Mcrabb) Wild and father Charles Augustus Wild on August 27, 1923. Doris graduated from Wilsey High School in 1941 and later that year married Donald B. Cress on October 21.
Together they ran the family farm south of Council Grove in the 4-Mile township along Spring Creek and raised one daughter Carole and two sons Donald and Lynn. Doris was a lifelong person of faith early on as a teacher at the 4-Mile Sunday School and Church and later as a member of the Council Grove Christian Church.
Doris was also involved in the community as leader in the Four Mile 4-H Club, was a member of the General Federated Women’s Clubs branch of the Philomathian Club from 1982 to 2002, served as president of Fidelis for 2 years, participated in fundraising for the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, and served as HEW President and District President.
An interest in the history of Council Grove kept Doris busy in later years where as a member of the Morris County Historical Society she was instrumental in designing guided tours of the area and served as a tour guide for 9 years. She also helped develop signage for historical homes around Council Grove and worked on a City of Trees project to date the age of historic trees in CG.
Along with husband Don Cress, she was a member of the Heart of the Flint Hills Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association and helped sponsor activities surrounding the national Santa Fe Trail Association Symposium held in Council Grove in 1999. Don and Doris helped promote Old Stone Barn Day bringing awareness to the preservation of the stone barn built by Seth Hays east of CG and they participated in many Wah-Shun-Gah Days parades with their horses and stagecoach.
Doris is survived by husband Donald B. Cress, daughter Carole Poland and husband Steve, son Donald C. Cress and wife Sharon, all of Olathe, son Lynn Cress, of Topeka; four grandchildren Sarah Cress, Matthew Cress, Shawn Poland and wife Gretchen, Stephanie Campbell and husband James; four great-grandchildren Alec Poland, Ava Poland, Maxine Campbell and Duncan Campbell.
Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Kaw Mission, 500 N. Mission St, Council Grove, KS 66846 (620) 767-5410 , or to the Council Grove Christian Church, which will go toward the AWANAS ministry, 106 E. Main, Council Grove, KS 66846 (620) 767-5416.