Doris was raised in Washington and graduated from Multnomah School of the Bible in 1959. She has served with InterAct since 1960 in village ministries in South Naknek, Tanana, Kokhanok, Pedro Bay and Nondalton. Doris moved to Wasilla in 1988 to continue urban and village outreach ministry. Though retired, she remains active in several ministry spheres from her home in Alaska. She continues to write and publish books about her life as a missionary.