Doris Ellen Knox, formerly of Bonesteel, South Dakota, passed away Sunday, October 11, 2017, at Good Samaritan Society Center in Wagner, South Dakota.

Doris was born on December 14, 1935, in Gregory, South Dakota, the daughter of Virgil and Philora Strong Knox.

Doris graduated from Bonesteel High School and attended the University of South Dakota and the State Teachers College at Springfield from which she graduated with a bachelor's degree. She taught school at several one-room country schools in the Gregory  County area and also taught in several larger grade schools in eastern South Dakota. Later she was employed at the South Dakota State Library in Pierre, South Dakota, after which she moved back to Bonesteel to live with and care for her parents.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Philora, brothers Eugene and William, her sisters-in-law Barbara Knox and Norma Knox and by her brother-in-law Lawrence Matejka.  Survivors include a sister Donna Matejka of Flagstaff, Arizona, and two brothers Norman (Lorayne) Knox of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Ronald (Alvera) Knox of Springfield, Illinois. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Doris was a good listener and an inveterate note taker. She heard and wrote down the many stories her parents told of growing up and of later beginning married life in the early years of South Dakota statehood. These notes were later used to compose a book about her mother, Dad's Song Bird , and another about her father, The Hoosier Coyote. She also wrote a book of poetry, Portraits of a Loved Childhood , based upon her own experiences growing up in Dixon, South Dakota. Doris was talented artistically as well and created many art works that were enjoyed and appreciated by her family and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD.  Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery, Gregory, SD.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday prior to the services at the funeral home.