"My deepest sympathy to Dr. Folger and his family"
In loving memory of
Doris Folger
August 23, 1945 - May 20, 2020
Doris Jean Folger (Nicloy) passed away peacefully in her home on May 20th in Rochester, Minnesota at the age of 74 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Doris was born on August 23rd, 1945 in Rochester, New York to Willis and Anne (Gronoff) Nicloy. After graduating from Greece Olympia High School in 1963, she went to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York graduating in 1967 with a BS in Housing and Design and this was followed by an additional year of master's coursework. She subsequently obtained a Masters in Management from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in 2000.
While at Cornell she met her future husband Neath on a corridor date but did not re-engage until passing him on campus in her junior year. They married June 22nd, 1968 in Rochester, NY. They were married for 52 years. She joined her husband Neath in Galveston, Texas where he was a medical student. It was there that she began her planning career working for the city of Galveston, Texas.
After moving to Rochester, Minnesota, she was hired as the first Transportation Planner for the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments and subsequently took a position as Director of Regional Development for the Southeastern Minnesota Regional Development Commission. The committed couple had a two-year hiatus while Neath served in the Navy and enjoyed all the delights that the Washington, DC area had to offer with their infant son Ryan. Upon returning to Rochester she bore their second son, Justin and daughter, Meredith and oversaw the building of the family's dream home on Paxton Road. After many happy years, the family had the opportunity to move to Jacksonville, Florida where she worked for several years as a Commercial Realtor. When the family once again returned to Rochester, she became engaged in many civic and medical organizations. She was always dedicated to improving the community in which she lived. Whenever she was asked to serve in a professional or civic capacity her answer was always "yes."
Doris was also an accomplished flutist and often performed at her church in her younger years. She was an incredibly generous individual who flawlessly remembered every special occasion with gifts and cards. She loved her children and grandchild immensely and was always highly involved in their many activities and organizations. She will always be remembered for her wonderful, and sharp, sense of humor often reflected in the family's annual Holiday Newsletter. She loved to travel and felt strongly that her children should be enriched by such experiences. This resulted in many cherished memories on adventures around both the country and the world. Playing bridge was a lifelong interest but in later life she enthusiastically took up golf much to her husband's delight. She remained passionate about her service to medical organizations acting in numerous roles, including president of the Minnesota Medical Association Alliance and Zumbro Valley Medical Association Alliance.
Doris is survived by her husband, Neath; children, Ryan (Alexis) Folger, Milwaukee, WI; Justin (Mindy) Folger, Lake Elmo, MN; Meredith Folger, Maple Grove, MN; grandson Parker Schloemer, Trempealeau, WI; and cousin Richard Keller (Nan) Rochester, NY. She is preceded in death by her parents Willis and Anne (Gronoff) Nicloy, Rochester, NY.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901. Visitation will be held on Friday August 21, 2020 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Due to Covid-19, safety guidelines and masks will be required for all visitations and services.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to The Rochester Symphony Orchestra,1530 Greenview Dr. SW, Ste 120, Rochester, MN 55902 or Seasons Hospice, 1696 Greenview Drive SW, Rochester, MN 55902
To share a special memory or condolences with the family, please visit https://www.ranfranzandvinefh.com/. The family would like to thank her many caregivers at Mayo Clinic and hospitals as well as the staff at Seasons Hospice for their compassionate care.
Tributes
"Deep sympathy in your loss, Dr. Folger. "
"It is probably safe to say that I am one of Doris?s oldest friends. Not because I am older than she, although I am by about 5 months, but because there are few people alive who have known her longer. We always felt like we were sisters from different mothers. We first met in 8th grade when the bands in which we both played flute practiced together to prepare for a concert. Playing together in a band continued through high school which led to many experiences and good times. One summer I traveled with her Mom and Dad to Huntsville, Ontario for a fun filled vacation on a lake. Another time our band did a weekend exchange with a high school band in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada which is where I finally met a trombone player from our very own band. Married that dear man, Art Turner, about 5 years later with Doris as Maid of Honor. Flutes were always in the front part of the band and trombones in the back portion, so we never met before. After high school we went our separate ways but always kept in touch. Long distance phone calls were too expensive for poor students. Back then it was called writing letters using paper, envelope and stamps. During her time at Cornell I received a phone call asking if I would like to go with her to the Montreal Expo? Of course, her boyfriend was coming too. I was honored to be Matron of Honor at their wedding. That wonderful man remained her best friend and boyfriend the rest of her life. On one memorable occasion, Doris, Neath and their first born came to visit us in Pennsylvania. They were moving to Bethesda area and needed to spend time house hunting, never an easy task, especially with a young toddler along. I was honored that they would trust us with Ryan. Little did Neath know that there was payback involved. We had a hide-a-bed couch that we wanted moved to the basement, not easy when there was minimal turn space between the top of the stairs and the wall. Those things are VERY heavy and don?t bend in the middle. We have had many visits back and forth to each other's different homes as well as meeting in various places, such as Savannah, northern Wisconsin, Disney, and Vero Beach, FL. Perhaps the best of all was when Art and I decided that an Alaskan cruise was the proper way to celebrate our 50th anniversary. Doris had spent years trying to convince me that a cruise ship could provide the required gluten free diet. She wanted to make sure that there were no problems, so She and Neath decided to go along. Little did we know that they were to become conspirators in our best surprise ever. Our kids met us in Juneau where they had the family standard, steak dinner menu planned for our anniversary, complete with champagne. They and our kids kept a secret for at least 6 months. It seems that all our friends in Toledo knew about our kids plans, even my hairdresser. We were clueless. Who knew Doris and Neath could be so sneaky? Love to all her family"
"I worked with Doris at the Regional Development Commission in the 1970's and did some work for her at her lovely home. The thing I most remember about Doris, besides her fun personality, is that we shared maternity leave with our oldest children and our secret method to keep colicky babies calm! Rest in peace Doris, and peace to your family as they say farewell to you."
"Although we were aware of her illness we were greatly saddened by Doris' passing. We knew her though our involvement with the Zumbro Valley Medical Society and The Zumbro Valley Medical Society Alliance. She was always organized, cheerful, and easy to work with. These organizations benefitted by her leadership. We extend our sincere sympathy to Neath and their children. Fred and Eileen Nobrega"
"Mrs. Folger was one of the nicest moms in the neighborhood growing up in Greenbriar. She will always have a place in my great childhood memories. Thoughts and prayers to the Folger clan. Brian Kelly"