College Station Bids Farewell to Doris Jean Shimshack
It is with heavy hearts that the community of College Station comes together to remember a cherished member of our neighborhood, Doris Jean (Molitor) Shimshack. Doris, who was 78 years old, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan. Her warmth and loving spirit will be immensely missed by everyone who knew her.
A Life Well-Lived
Doris Jean was born on March 31, 1946, in the small town of Navasota to Hilda and Edwin Molitor. Life threw her a curveball at a young age when her father passed away when she was just nine. However, Doris and her mother forged a connection that was both deep and loving. It was a bond that carried her through the formative years of her life.
At the age of 14, Doris met the love of her life, Sylvester “Selze” Adam Shimshack, at a church function in 1960. Selze worked at a nearby gas station, and whenever Doris would visit the local Tastee-Freez for a sweet treat, little did she know it would lead to a beautiful five-year romance culminating in marriage on April 15, 1965. They welcomed their first child in 1966, embarking on a journey filled with love and family.
A Family Legacy
In 1966, Doris and Selze established Diamond Floor Covering. Doris took on the roles of bookkeeper and office manager, helping the family business thrive. Their home on Helena Street in Bryan became a place filled with laughter and kindness until January 5, 1978, when they moved into a home that Selze lovingly built for their family in south College Station.
Doris’s home was not just a residence; it was a haven for friends and family. She created an atmosphere where everyone felt welcome, treating her friends as her adopted children. Her love extended far beyond her immediate family to include church friends and neighbors, creating a warm and vibrant community around her.
Creative Spirit
Not only was Doris a devoted wife and mother, but she was also an incredibly talented and creative person. She found joy in various crafts that allowed her to express herself. Doris was an adept seamstress who loved sewing, embroidery, and quilling. She passionately made cards, scrapbooked, and practiced the intricate German art of papercutting known as scherenschnitte. These creative outlets brought her immense joy and served as a way to connect with those she cared about.
One of her fondest memories was a Rhine River cruise in Germany with her best friend, Ruth Rich. This expanse of joyful and shared experiences shaped her life, enriching her relationships and offering precious memories that she held dear.
Remembering Doris
Doris is survived by her two children, Darryl Shimshack and his wife Sharon, and Cheryl Kocman and her husband Robert. She was also the beloved daughter-in-law of Liz Shimshack and her husband John Bruce. Her pride and joy, however, were her grandchildren: Carlee and Addison Shimshack, Cody Kocman, and Katelyn Kocman Leventis and her husband Aaron. Each of them is a testament to the love and legacy she leaves behind.
Celebration of Life
A celebration of Doris’s beautiful life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, at the Hillier Funeral Home in College Station, followed by her final resting place at the College Station City Cemetery. Family and friends are also invited for a visitation on Friday, September 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
For those wishing to honor her memory further, memorials in Doris’s name can be made to Bethel Lutheran Church. A group of loving pallbearers, including Jay Fifer, Cody and Robert Kocman, Aaron Leventis, Darryl Shimshack, Anthony Pasket, Rick Smalley, and Shane Woodard, will help carry her into eternal rest.
As we gather to say goodbye, we invite everyone to visit the Hillier Funeral Home’s website to share condolences and express gratitude for a life so beautifully lived. Doris Jean will forever remain in our hearts.
