Doreene, 81, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, just six days shy of her 82nd birthday. If you knew Doreene, you know she loved celebrating people's birthdays and anniversaries by sending them cards. It brought her a great deal of joy.

She was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan on March 3, 1944 (such an easy birthday for her to remember and "rattle" off: 3-3-44). Doreene graduated from Kingsford High School in 1962 before attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. It took her four years and three summers to complete her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, graduating in 1966. She was very proud of this accomplishment and loved her time in Ann Arbor which she talked about throughout her life (Go Blue!). After graduation, Doreene worked as an ICU nurse in Evanston, Illinois. While at work, in 1967, at the young age of 23, she had a busy day at the hospital and was getting an IV bottle when she collapsed and had a severe stroke. She had to learn to walk, talk and write again, going from being right-handed to left-handed. She had right side paralysis as a result of the stroke, but that didn't stop her! She was one tough lady! She got back into nursing in 1968.

After her stroke, Doreene reconnected with a high school classmate, Jerry Magnuson, who became the love of her life. They started dating in 1971 and were married on October 21, 1972. Jerry and Doreene were blessed with two children; their daughter, Anne, in 1973, and their son, G.T. in 1978. In 1987, Jerry's railroad job was transferred to Minnesota so they packed up the family and moved to White Bear Lake, MN. Doreene worked as an RN in nursing homes, including the White Bear Lake Care Center (now Cerenity White Bear Lake). After over 30 years of nursing, she retired. Doreene was especially happy when she became a grandmother. She had five grandchildren – Lili (24), Arika (22), Alex (19), Chevas (17) and Madi-Jo (9) – who were the lights of her life.

Over the years, she enjoyed participating in church and church activities, reading about the English royal family, having a cup of tea, watching figure skating, cross stitching, researching family ancestry, cooking, gardening and cheering on her beloved Michigan Wolverines. Doreene and Jerry had big plans of traveling in their motorhome, but with Jerry's Alzheimer's disease, their plans changed. Doreene was a devoted wife, by his side, as he struggled with the disease and passed away in 2012.

Doreene is preceded in death by her loving husband Jerry; mother, Lucille Perkins; father, Garfield Perkins; mother-in-law, Helen Lehto; sister, Caryl Novara; sister-in-law, Julie Robinson. Survived by children, Anne (Adam) Miller; and G.T. Magnuson; grandchildren, Lili Magnuson, Arika Miller, Alex Miller, Chevas Magnuson and Madi-Jo Magnuson; brother, John (Donna) Phillips; brothers-in-law, Larry Robinson, Ray Novara, and Ken (Sue) Magnuson; and many other relatives & treasured friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 6 to 8 p.m. at White Bear Lake United Methodist Church, 1851 Birch St, White Bear Lake; Funeral Service 11 a.m., Friday, March 13, 2026, with visitation 1 hour prior to service, and luncheon after at White Bear Lake United Methodist Church. Interment will take place on April 17 at noon in Cemetery Park; Iron Mountain, MI with luncheon/gathering time to follow. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Open Arms of Minnesota (a service Doreene used that was very helpful to her in the past year; they deliver and provide medically tailored meals to those living with illnesses so she had nutritious low-sodium meals to help her heart: https://www.openarmsmn.org/donate/).

Doreene was one of the kindest, good-hearted people around. To know her was to love her. With all the people she came in contact with, they were always amazed at how she persevered through the challenges life handed her. She spent a great deal of her life proving to people that she could do anything she put her mind to. She learned to adapt to any situation that came her way. She was an inspiration to those around her. Doreene was a dear friend to all, a loving presence in all of our lives. As she always said, "Go with the flow and do the best you can," which became the mantra of her life. We invite you embrace her mantra. She did the best she could…and it was a very successful and amazing journey!