Doris Fowler

Doris Fowler, of Ganado, passed away from this earthly life into the waiting arms of her Father, God, on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, at the age of 88 years, 2 months and 25 days.
She was born in the small community of Plainview to Emil and Edna Bodungen Cihal and at the age of five the family moved to Ganado. She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother, Millie Kloesel Cihal, brothers: William Franklin Cihal and Ervin Cihal; sisters: Lillian Jones, Dorothy Conner and Wilma Willoughby, and by their wives and husbands: and her husbands: William Franklin George and Bruce Daniel Fowler.
Our mother was a woman with steadfast belief in God. Her family and friends provided much joy in her life and each of them helped piece together the quilt that was her life. This life was very full, bringing up a family and when the last child entered school, working alongside her first husband in the butane business that they owned and operated. Once William died and the business was sold, she stayed on, retiring at the age of 62.
She was a very social woman and loved going dancing, bowling, camping and traveling, going all over the United States with her second husband, Bruce, and friends and family. She loved nothing better than a good game of cards or dominoes, and she was a cutthroat player, giving no mercy, even on the grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and for years canned fruits and vegetables, made jellies and jams, and was an accomplished needlewoman, quilting and crocheting beautiful works of art. There are examples of her handiwork throughout the United States.
Although during her last years it was difficult for her to get out and about, she enjoyed the company of her family and friends, and the telephone also provided her with many enjoyable visits. She led a full, interesting and very productive life, showing her family by example what the important things in life were: faith in a kind and loving God, love and courage, but most importantly, to greet each day with thanksgiving and listen to what people had to say and to recognize your blessings and to work hard and to help each other as well as anyone who was in need. Our mother was an amazing person and a true inspiration to all of us. She taught by example, and she would and did tell anyone who would listen how proud she was of her children for what they had accomplished thus far in their lives. We will forever hold her in our hearts and we will look forward to when we are all reunited with her in Heaven. Our mother was a true Proverbs 31 woman and we, her family, were truly blessed.
Survivors include children, Lana George Tatsch, Brenda Gail George, William 'Mike' George and wife, Glenda, Dennis George and wife Brenda, David George and wife, Mary Kay, and Danny Fowler and wife, Brenda. Also surviving are the following grandchildren: William Tatsch, Heath Tatsch, Sherrie Schulze, Jessica Hubenak and husband, Keith, Kirsten Reyes and husband John, Vallan Bledsoe and husband, Jeremy, Breanne George, Jaclyn Welch and husband, Jason, Meagan George, Jacob George, Kristy Cunningham and Curtis Fowler, and her brother, Williard Cihal and wife, Willie Mae, and sister-in-law Shirley Fowler Scott. Other survivors include 15 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
It can be said that Doris was a feisty woman, a true and steadfast wife, a loving, proud mother and grandmother, and a loyal loving sister and aunt. Most importantly, she was a woman who even with the detours that life oftentimes sends, was ever focused on what was her calling in life and working towards it with acceptance, love, and determination. Her journey here on earth is over but the best started the moment that her eyes closed in death and God's angels ushered her through those pearly gates and God wrapped His arms around her and said, “Welcome home my beautiful child.”
Visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ganado Funeral Home with a Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Ganado at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, with Father Kirby Hlavaty officiating. Interment will follow at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in El Campo.
Services have been entrusted to Russell Todish of Ganado Funeral Home, 361-771-2120.