Doris “Dorie” Helen King Draper, 93, Hermann, passed away on Feb. 8, 2026, at Rhineland Pointe Assisted Living Facility in Hermann.
She was born on Jan. 22, 1933, to the late Don and Evelyn King in New Castle, Pa.
She spent her childhood in several locations in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and New York.
Dorie attended Park College near Kansas City where she met the love of her life, Art Draper. They were united in marriage on Jan. 26, 1955, the night before Art was sent overseas to serve two years in the Army in Germany during the Cold War. Dorie joined him three months later and they spent their first year together in a small town in Germany.
Dorie and Art had three children, Jill, Joe and Anne. The Draper family moved to Hermann in 1975, where Dorie became a teacher who was known for her warmth, gentleness and enriching teaching style.
She was the gentle backbone of the family and loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly.
Dorie was involved in St. Paul’s UCC for years as a choir member and part of various committees. She then joined the Catholic church at the age of 86.
Dorie also helped establish the Gasconade County Archives and Records Center in its current location. She and Art researched Draper family history, and along with a cousin, Carolyn Doyle, published a book about Fannie Draper’s family tribulations as homesteaders in South Dakota, called My Ever Dear Charlie.
Aside from family and community involvement, Dorie’s passions were botanical art, literature, children and nature.
She was preceded in death by husband, Art; parents, Don and Evelyn; and oldest daughter, Jill.
Dorie is survived by son, Joe Draper and wife Sandra of Seattle, Wash.; daughter, Anne Worland and husband Tom of Hermann; grandchildren, Gavin and David Draper, Leslie Niiro and husband Jeremy, Lauren Niiro-Dickerson and husband Jordan, Andrew Niiro and Alaina Worland, Nick Withrow and wife Tracey and Ellen and Jack Cook; son-in-law, Daryl Cook and special partner, Jodie Avery; great-grandchildren, Palmer, Barrett, Gardner, Callan, Maren, Adrian, Evelyn and Vallen; sister, Elizabeth King of Sioux City, Iowa; and brother, Charles King of Covington, Ky. She cherished each member of her family, including the many Draper and Worland family members who became much more than in-laws.
Memorial contributions suggested to St. George Catholic Church, the Scenic Regional Library or the Hermann Area District Hospital.
She will be cremated. Visitation will be held from 8:30 -10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, followed by the funeral Mass at St. George.
