Kristoff

Douglas Wayne Kristoff, known to everyone as Doug, passed away on June 20, 2026, in Austin, Texas, at the age of 67 after a courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Born June 30, 1958, in La Grange, Texas, he lived a life that was full of heart, hard work, and enough personality to keep a room smiling even on an ordinary day.

Doug was the kind of man whocouldmakeyousmileeven when you were mad at him. He had a funny way of looking at life — a little sideways, a little goofy — that made people laugh before they even realized they needed to. He was loving, kind, and deeply loyal, and he carried those qualities into every room he walked into. If you knew Doug, you knew that a conversation with him could turn into a story, and that story could turn into the kind of laughter that made you forget what you were worried about. He had a gift for making people feel welcome, and he never seemed to waste it.

He spent his early working years at Hurricane Steel and later worked for the City of La Grange until his retirement. Doug was a hardworking man who understood the value of showing up for others, doing the job as best he could, and not complaining unless there was a very good reason, or at least a funny one. He appreciated honest work and the people who did it. He was also deeply connected to the country life he loved, especially anything involving farming, cattle, or being outdoors where life was simpler and made sense.

Doug found joy in the simple things that meant the most. He enjoyed fishing and riding around with his brother Kenny checking on cows, but most of all loved spending time with friends and family. Every week, he, Kenny, and Glen would meet up at the old Mullins Prairie Store, the little country store his mother once ran, now a bar, to sit and share a drink with each other and their friends. He never seemed to waste a moment when he could be with the people he cared about. Whether he was talking, laughing, or just sitting in the company of friends and loved ones, Doug made those moments better simply by being there.

Doug’s faith was his own — quiet, personal, and real. He may not have been the churchgoing type, but he was a man who believed, and that belief gave him strength, comfort, and a steady foundation through every season of life. It showed not in rituals but in the way he lived — in his resilience, his steadiness, and the values he carried without making a show of them. He met challenges with the same quiet spirit that carried him through his work, his family life, and every day in between. Even in difficult times, he remained himself, which is to say he remained Doug, and that was no small thing.

Doug was preceded in death by his father, Emil Kristoff; his mother, Veronica Kristoff; his sister, Judy Stolle, and her husband, Earl; and his wife, Jane Kristoff. He is survived by his brothers, Glen Kristoff and Kenneth Kristoff; his sister-inlaw, Susan Kristoff; his son, Jacob Kristoff, and daughter-inlaw, Kristina Kristoff, and their sons, Jackson Kristoff, Brandon Kristoff, and Preston Kristoff; his son, Joseph Kristoff, and daughter-in-law, Heather Kristoff; his great-grandson, Stetson Kristoff, son of Jackson and his partner, Ashley Carter; and his nephews, Steve Stolle, Matt Stolle, andAdam Kristoff, along with their spouses and children. He was also loved and remembered by many family members and friends whose lives were made richer by knowing him, each of whom knows the place they held in his heart.

Doug’s family was one of the great joys of his life, and he took pride in each generation that followed. He was a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved deeply and showed it in his own unmistakable way. He may not have always been the most sentimental man in the room, and he wasn’t one for saying it outright, but he did not need to be. His love showed up in his presence, his humor, his loyalty, and the way he made people feel like they mattered. That kind of love lasts, and it will be remembered for years to come.

Doug will be remembered for his big heart, his fun-loving personality, and his ability to bring light into a room without trying too hard. He loved to laugh and have a good time, and when something funny really got him, it got him completely. He had the rare talent of making ordinary days feel a little more memorable and difficult days a little more bearable. Heaven gained a man who knew how to work hard, love well, and make everyone feel welcome like they should. Those who knew Doug will carry his memory with gratitude, laughter, and affection, and they will remember him as one of the good ones, which is really just a polite way of saying he was one of the best.

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Doug’s life will be held at a later date.

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

Arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.