Doris was born Sept. 20,1933, in Colorado County and was the only child of Anton Kallus and Annie Tobias.

Despite having only a few dollars to their name when she arrived, her parents instilled in Doris the values of hard work, perseverance and continued learning on the family farm in Ellinger, Texas.

She attended a tworoom schoolhouse in Santa Anna from age 5 until ninth grade. She was often the only girl, but refused to miss a day. She enrolled in Columbus High School and graduated a year early in 1950.

The true highlight of Doris’ life was being a mother and she was blessed with three wonderful children. She pushed each of them to follow their dreams and, like her parents did for her, encouraged her kids to get an education above all else. Always leading by example, she went back to school at 50 to earn her degree from Blinn College in Brenham, Texas.

Doris had an innovative spirit and was a serial entrepreneur in a time when not many women worked outside of the home. She owned a beauty salon called The Beauty Bar, founded a restaurant (where she acted as her own general contractor for the building itself) and used her college degree to become the culinary director at Monument Hill Nursing Home in La Grange, Texas.

Later in life, she kept busy by sharing her love of cooking with the children at Fayetteville School and a Christian summer camp named Country Camp.

During her leisure time, Doris was passionate about the arts and crafting. She enjoyed cooking for anyone who came to visit, gardening and growing her own organic food, painting Texas wildflowers and sewing quilts.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren all received handmade quilts unique to their tastes and she regularly donated others to raise funds for the Ellinger Volunteer Fire Department and St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Among the countless qualities that she shared with her family was her adventurous spirit and determination.

Doris truly believed that she (and you) could do anything a person puts his or her mind to. Her ability to adapt to life’s twists and turns while keeping her joyful spirit was something everyone looked up to. Never one to hold back, she gave great advice and was fearless in voicing her opinions, complete with sass and her famous one-liners.

In her final days, Doris was in her home, surrounded by her family and caregivers she appreciated dearly.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents; her oldest son, Crockett David Leyendecker Jr.; and her youngest son, Karl Lee Leyendecker.

Survivors include her daughter, Bonnie and husband, Rocky Roesler, of La Grange; daughter-in-law, Connie Leyendecker of Columbus; granddaughter, Kimberly Johnson and husband, Ross; granddaughter, Roxxy Brown and husband, David, of Miami; grandson, Rocky Roesler and wife, Lesley, of Columbus; and granddaughter, Kristen Carden and husband, Luke, of Columbus. She is also survived by her five great-grandchildren: Shelby, Taylor, Vivian, River and Levi, all of Columbus.

The family would like to thank her amazing caregivers: Carlene, Stefanie, Mary and Deborah and Hospice Brazos Valley for their splendid care. Special thanks to Brenda Ward, who lovingly cared for Doris for many years.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl St., La Grange.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.