Lisa Doyen

LISA MARQUERITE DOYEN...

was born on December 29, 1962 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Joseph and Kay (Johnson) Doyen. She was raised in Hopkins, Minnesota where she received her education. She graduated from high school in 1980 and then attended St. Olaf College in Northfield where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Following that, she attended St. Mary’s in Winona, Minnesota where she got her Master of Arts in Education. She held several positions in Minnesota, including a Project Director position with Community Employment Opportunities and a Social Service Coordinator position for R.E.M.

In 1994, Lisa began a career in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She furthered her education at the University of Sioux Falls, Augustana in Sioux Falls where she received graduate credits and her Special Education Teaching certificate. She began working at Children’s Care Hospital and School in Sioux Falls as a Team Leader/Teacher position and as an Autism Consultant at the Center for Disabilities in Sioux Falls. Most recently, Lisa was working as a Transition Specialist for young adults at the East Dakota Cooperative.

While spending summers with her aunt and uncle, Margaret and Oliver Larson in Flandreau, South Dakota, She met Roger Kramer. They were married on April 13, 1996 in Minneapolis. They made their home on a farm near Flandreau. They never had any children of their own, but over the years, Roger and Lisa were foster parents to several children, including Kassidy, whom they adopted in 2003. They are also guardians to Krystal and Mariah Red Bear. In the early part of 2015, Lisa’s health began to decline. With several complications, Lisa died peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls having lived to reach the age of 52 years, eight months and 14 days.

Lisa loved the outdoors, especially flowers, so much so that last year, Roger built her a greenhouse on their property. She also loved animals, mostly her cats. Lisa’s main passion in life was helping people and children. She was a strong advocate for children, she made this her life’s work; Lisa saw possibilities in children that no one else could see. Roger and Lisa enjoyed their time together, especially travel. When Roger couldn’t be with, Lisa would travel with friends, including a seven day cruise to Alaska. Lisa enjoyed entertaining and making people happy.

Lisa is lovingly remembered by her husband, Roger of Flandreau; her son Kassidy Doyen-Kramer of Flandreau; her brother, David (Lindsay) Doyen of Prior Lake, Minnesota; nieces and nephews, DJ, Olivia and Xander; one brother-in-law, Les (Renae) Kramer of Flandreau; and many friends. Lisa is preceded in death by her parents.