Dolores Faith Hausinger

DOLORES FAITH HAUSINGER "BUBBLES" May 24, 1921~ May 22, 2012 "Bubbles" lived her faith daily and we are sure she was greeted in heaven with the words, "Well done my good and faithful servantwelcome home." With love, Bubbles, until we meet again." "Bubbles" was a miracle. She was born two months pre-mature in Ely, MN on May 24, 1921, weighing in at one pound, seven ounces. The doctor said, "Only faith will keep this baby alive and she probably will not live through the night", so her grandmother, Adelaide Frederick, took her home, placed her in a chest of drawers next to the old wood stove and she survived! She spent her younger childhood living with her grandmother in Fargo, ND. She had rickets when she was three years old, but her grandmother nursed her back to good health which remained with her for a lifetime. In the 1930's, her family moved to Portland, OR. Nuns at her grade school found her to be very musically gifted. Since it was the great depression, her grandmother could not afford to give her lessons, so in exchange for her piano lessons, her grandmother baked and cooked for the sisters. When she was twelve years old, she played a Chopin piano medley on the local radio station. The family moved to Hood River, OR, in the late 1930's, where she graduated from Hood River High School in 1939. Following graduation, she met, Alvin. In April of 1942, they married at St. Vibiana's Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA. Alvin was employed by Lockheed Aircraft, assembling fighter planes for World War II. In June of 1943, Irene, was born, followed by Ralph in 1946 and Leonard in 1952. They purchased a home in South Gate, CA in 1945 where they raised their family. Alvin was an avid rock-hound, so the family spent many trips camping and collecting rocks on the Mojave dessert and Death Valley. He made their collected rocks into lovely jewelry. "Bubbles" was a homemaker and was known as the best spaghetti maker ever! There was always music in the home. She accompanied Irene in her violin studies and Ralph in clarinet. Many evenings the furniture was moved against the walls, and the old time dances, such as "Put Your Little Foot" were taught and enjoyed. In 1957, the family moved to Vancouver, WA. "Bubbles" and her husband were foster parents to eighty-seven newborns over the next eight years and were honored as Foster Parents of the Year for Washington State. After the children were raised, they moved to Arlington, OR. They were blessed with five grandchildren: David, Kenneth, Thomas, Karyn and Heidi and six great-grandchildren. She and her husband enjoyed their annual trip to the Camel Races in Virginia City, NV. "Bubbles" road the camel, Daisy, in the races a number of times and was most indignant, when at 80 years old, they would not let her ride in the race. After 60 years of marriage, following her husband's death, she moved to The Dalles. It was then that Father Kabel said to her, "You are so bubbly, I'm going to call you Bubbles." and that's how she got her nickname. She was a church organist for 64 years and led the children's choir at St. Peters in The Dalles, OR in the 1990's. She touched so many people through her music which she considered a wonderful gift that was to be shared. She moved to Hood River, OR to be closer to her daughter, Irene, who was her caretaker in her later years. Three years ago, she moved to Fisher's Landing Assisted Living where she was happy and treated so lovingly by staff and residents and remained there until her death. "Bubbles" daughter, Irene and son, Leonard survive. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; son, Ralph; grandson, David Melton; and son-in-law, Michael Melton. "Bubbles" will be deeply missed. Her cheerful positive attitude was amazing. She was such a character and so much fun to be around and we knew she loved each one of us unconditionally. She was a master joke teller and would have made a wonderful actress! She valued education and taught us to be kind and considerate of others. She would always say, "Don't be so quick to judge for you do not know what that person's life is like." She also taught us the beauty of diversity among people and shared all the wonderful things we could learn by embracing our differences. Celebration of "Bubbles" Life:Fri., June 1, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Hood River, OR at 1:30 p.m. followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church Children's Fund.

Dolores Faith Hausinger

May 24, 1921 - May 22, 2012