Doris Frances Hjelmstad

Doris Hjelmstad was born on January 20,1922 in Nampa, Idaho to Jacob and Laura Shenk. When she was 5 years old her family was traveling from Idaho to Virginia, stopping in Cheraw, Colorado to visit her mom's two sisters. They never left and stayed living in Colorado, where she lived through the years of the Great Depression. She had 7 siblings, 6 sisters and 1 brother. Her family did not have a lot, but they were rich in love and caring. She graduated from Cheraw high school and attended Hesston College where she received a teacher's certificate to teach in a rural one room schoolhouse in Bird City, Kansas. At the time of her passing she was the longest living alumni of Hesston College.

Doris was a member of a Ladies quartet that would sing on a radio program at the station in La Junta. One day they were needing a place to practice before going to the station. They called Magnar Hjelmstad (Harolds brother), and he said they could use his home. As fate would have it, Harold just happened to be there visiting Magnar, and this is where they first met. She soon learned that he was a true Christian and that was very important to her. They started dating and they were married on 4/20/1941 in the large living room at her parents' home in Cheraw, Colorado. They moved to Denver several years later and had 4 children, Shirley, Sharon, Ken and Rick. Her family was very important to her, giving unending love and support to each of them, including 6 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren.

At age 11 Doris made a public commitment to accept Christ at an evangelistic meeting conducted by Milo Kauffman. This was the first step of her long Christian journey. Doris's strong faith and her love of God was an integral part of her life. This was expressed in being a charter member of the First Mennonite Church in Denver, and a charter member of Glennon Heights Mennonite Church. She loved her church community and was a very active member in both.

Doris took a joy in cooking, using this talent to entertain many guests in her home over a homemade meal. She was known for her cinnamon rolls, and enjoyed giving them to anyone who would take them. She also brought the art of canning to her family, which continues today.

Doris, age 102, passed peacefully in her home in Golden, Colorado on 9/17/2024. She was surrounded by her son Rick and his wife Denise. She was listening to a favorite hymn How Great Thou Art when she passed.

She is survived by her sister Ruth Amstutz, two daughters: Shirley Hostetler, Sharon Marner and husband Gary Marner, one son Rick Hjelmstad and wife Denise Hjelmstad. Also surviving are 3 Grandchildren: Chris Marner and wife Stacey, Jason Marner and wife Sophia, Carmen Cuba and husband John Brown. She is also survived by 9 Great Grandchildren: Caden Byers, Carson Byers, Natalie Marner, Olivia Marner, Henry Marner, Charlie Marner, Ella Marner, Roman Cuba Brown, Carlos Cuba Brown.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Hjelmstad, son Kenneth Hjelmstad, grandchildren, Tammy Hostetler, Troy Hostetler, Natasha Cuba, sisters: Irene Cook, Alice Dye, Laura Ann King, Charlene Schrock, Norma Goering, and brother JB Shenk.

Memorial service will be held at Glennon Heights Mennonite church at on October 12th at 2:00pm. The family invites everyone to a reception dinner in the basement of the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Doris's memory can be given to:

Glennon Heights Mennonite Church

11480 W Virginia Ave Lakewood, Colo 80226