Leyendecker

Doris Ann Kallus Leyendecker entered into Christ’s loving arms on Sept. 10, 2023.

Doris was born on 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 their family farm in Ellinger. She attended a two-room schoolhouse in Santa Anna from age 5 until 9th grade where she was often the only girl, but she refused to miss a day. For high school, she attended Columbus High 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 be educated above all else. Always leading by example, she went back to school at the age of 50 to earn her degree from Blinn Jr College in Brenham.

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), used her college degree to become the Culinary Director at Monument Hill Nursing Home in La Grange, and later in life 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 a hand-made quilt that was unique to their taste 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 she put 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 that 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.

She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie and husband, Rocky Roesler of La Grange; her daughter in-law, Connie Leyendecker of Columbus; granddaughter, Kimberly Johnson and husband, Ross; granddaughter, Roxxy Brown and husband, David of Miami, Florida; 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 amazing 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.

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

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