Obituary of Doris Edna Sinks

At the age of 94, our dear mother, Doris Edna Sinks, took the hand of God on Christmas Eve morning in Poncha Springs, Colorado with her loving family by her side.

Doris was a wonderful lady.  She had a big heart, loved her family deeply, and made friends easily. Doris was fun to be around, had a good sense of humor, and was a great storyteller!  Family and friends said her stories of growing up in a large family during the 1930’s depression taught them about familial strength, resilience, and support. The biggest lesson was love.

She was an artist – drawing, oil painting, cake decorating, sculpting, and writing. She Loved music, especially old-time country western and gospel songs. 

Doris was the daughter of Volga German immigrants. She was the second of nine children, born on August 17, 1929 (the year the stock market crashed) in the “dry lands"e of northeastern Colorado in the small town of Grover. Her family farmed in the northern Colorado area - raising sugar beets and milking dairy cows. She attended schools in Wellington, Greeley, and Windsor. 

In 1948 while working at Woolworth’s in Ft. Collins, CO, she met Everett “Vern” Sinks. He would regularly drive down from Cheyenne to court her. One Sunday afternoon, they were sitting by the city park lake when he asked her if she could make a lemon meringue pie and if she would be his wife. They were married on November 19, 1949, in Sidney, Nebraska. They shared forty-seven adventurous years together, raising their family in Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado. Vern passed away in 1996.

She spent many years working in the optical business and opened her own shop in Ft.  Collins, “Downtown Optical.”  Bringing people together was something she loved to do, so she and Vern created the “Christian Dating Service.” They attended at least 50 weddings while they had it operating.

Doris was a kind and loving mother to her three children; Vicki (Fred) Klein of Poncha Springs, CO; Deborah (Reginald) Westphal of Wellington, CO; and Stephen (Brenda) Sinks of Morrill, NE.

She was a proud grandmother to, Scott Baker, and Trisha (James) White of Poncha Springs, CO; Matthew Ackerman of Ft. Collins, CO; Tim (Cortny) Sinks of Overton, NE; and Carlie (Trey)Schlender of Minden, NE.  She adored her great grandchildren Jackson and Corinne White, Hunter Ackerman, and Brady and Hayden Sinks.

In the years after Vern was gone, Doris liked traveling with friends and family. She became reacquainted with a widowed church friend, Don Parker, from Greeley. They married in 2005. She was the prettiest 75-year-old bride. Together they shared traveling to Israel, fishing at Red Feather Lakes, and singing gospel music at their Sunday “Hymn Sings.” Don passed away in 2011.

Doris moved to Salida, Colorado in 2014 to be closer to family.  She enjoyed nine years living at the Mt. Shavano Apartments where she appreciated the monthly luncheons and making friends with her neighbor ladies. In 2018, Mother lost most of her vision due to macular degeneration. Her world became much smaller, which she graciously managed. She never complained and was always grateful for all the help she received. She could still hear our voices and give us big hugs!

As a child, Doris was a devoted sister and caregiver to her brothers. She is survived by a sister, Charlotte (Danny) Robinett of Loveland, CO, and brother Gary (Trish) Roth of Windsor, CO.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Alex and Pauline (Fritzler) Roth, brothers Alexander, Roy, Robert, Albert, Harvey and Raymond Roth, her husbands,’ Vern and Don, and a granddaughter Heather Westphal.

Doris was a prayer warrior for anyone who asked and those who did not.  No problem was too small and no need too great. She would always hold them up in prayer.

Our Mother had a gentle nature and unlimited kindness, two qualities that could mask the quiet strength she had. She had a heart of gold and received much by giving to so many. Her faith in God shined bright in her daily life.  She really was a true example of the Golden Rule. To be in her presence was pure sweetness, never judgmental – absolute unconditional love flowed from her.

What a blessing she was in our lives and our memories of her will be treasured.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Doris Jewell for the loving years she gave helping to care for her “Buttercup.”

 

To view Doris' Celebration of Life on January 6, 2024, click here.

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