Doris Rounds Doris was born July 15, 1926 to Meda and Frank Brian. Her father soon left the family of five girls leaving her mother to feed them all. Her mother took the incredible step for the 1930s to drive a borrowed car to California with the unrealistic hope that the three younger girls, Betty, Doris and Gwen could miraculously, somehow make a living singing and being in the movies.
The three younger girls could sing close harmony with no training whatsoever performing in LDS Churches and for civic groups in Utah up to that time. With the strength of facing starvation, her mother simply walked into the movie studios unannounced and got someone to listen to the three girls a cappella, with no rehearsal. They got small singing parts for a one-time appearance, just enough to buy food and shelter until the next call.
They appeared in 22 motion pictures with such names as Shirley Temple, Our Gang Comedies, and Sonia Henne. From the age of five, Doris made her own living and told the family many times she was tough enough to deal with anything life could throw at her. She proved that surviving and recovering fully from deadly cancer twice, earlier in her life.
She went on to entertain thousands of troops across the country in USO tours during World War II with her sisters calling themselves, The Brian Sisters. She said from the stage she witnessed military men in the audience for as far as she could see all wanting to hear her sing and maybe get a chance to talk to her and her sisters. The sisters made records and sang on national radio station networks.
She ended her singing career performing radio spots for commercials when she returned to Utah. She came to Utah again and married her husband, Wayne, on February 9, 1953. The marriage was later solemnized on the Ogden LDS Temple.
Doris graduated from Weber State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in education after years of attending night school while she cared for her three young children during the day. She was a railroader’s wife who saw that her husband had what he needed to support the family at his job. She taught English at Junior High school in the Weber School District for 22 years, and never passed up a chance to correct grammar when she noticed an error, even with the Standard Examiner.
She worked with the Boy Scouts of America for four decades earning the Silver Beaver Award. She saw to it that her three boys earned the Eagle Scout Badge, served LDS missions, and graduated from college. She supported her son’s law practice when she was in her 90’s.
What she would not do is yard work. She is preceded in death by the love of her life, Wayne, and his twin brother, Blaine Rounds. She has three sons, Randy (Sylvia), Raymond (Cindy), and Richard.
She has 7 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Doris loved to read, travel and spend time with family. She influenced not only her own boys, but several other boys in the neighborhood who congregated at the Rounds home in the summer.
She handed out many hundreds of peanut butter and honey sandwiches at lunchtime to whoever was there. Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 13, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.
The family wishes to express thanks to Annette Wood of Country Hospice and Doris’ daughter-in-law, Cindy Rounds, who lovingly helped “Super Grandma” through The Veil to reunite with Wayne.
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