Doris M. Tukua

DORIS MARIE TUKUA
May 29, 1920 – February 5, 2019

Doris M. Tukua was born in New Richland Minnesota on May 29, 1920 to Dora and Arthur Matz. Her father’s family had immigrated from German Prussia in the 1880’s and her mother’s family immigrated from Norway in the 1870’s. Doris was always very proud to share her Norwegian heritage with all of her family and friends. She learned many skills from her parents early on, especially her mother who taught her to sew, cook, keep a tidy household and make a dollar stretch. Some of her favorite foods to make and share with others were lefsa, rhubarb and Swedish meatballs. Her father was the first president of the Southern Minnesota Baseball Association, which cultivated a deep love for baseball at a very young age and continued her whole life, leading her and her late husband Robert to be some of the biggest LA Dodgers fans there ever were.

Doris enjoyed education and excelled in school, eventually becoming the salutatorian of her high school class. She loved swimming, choir, drama, as well as music and marching band. She played many instruments such as cornet, trumpet, piano, alto horn and French horn. She became a teacher in the areas of English, history and music in Hollandale, Minnesota.

She met the love of her life, Robert O. Tukua, in high school and they eventually moved to California, got married on June 22, 1942 and began a beautiful family. She took great pride in raising her family in a Christian home, with good values and an overflowing love for the Lord, our God. She was a devout member of Our Saviors Lutheran church in Long Beach, attending for over 75 years and all of her children were baptized and married there as well. She enjoyed volunteering at the church bazaar, rummage sales, helping with wedding and funeral services, attending bible studies, going to women’s circles, and making lefsa.

Doris Tukua is survived by all four of her children; Bonnie Galbreath and husband Jerry, Diane Ball, Robert C. Tukua and wife Janice, Rev. Philip Tukua and wife Mary Jane. Her grandchildren are Dana Baze, Dr. Leslee Ball, Kellee Ball, Timothy Ball, Shawn Tukua, Heather Fontana, Ryan Tukua, Julie Watten and Anthony Andrews. Doris will always be remembered for her love for others and deep faith and she is now home at last.