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Schimik, Doris

In Memory of
Doris (Gallowitsch) Schimik

BIRTH: 15 Dec 1921 Wels, Austria

DEATH: 23 Mar 2009 Traverse City, Grand Traverse, Michigan

Doris (Omi) Schimik, 87, of Kalkaska passed away Mar 23, 2009, at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City, following a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. 

A native of Austria, Doris was born Dec 15, 1921, in Wels, to the late Josef and Helene Gallowitsch. While in Austria, Doris was a school teacher. 

During WWII, she met her husband, Ewald H. Schimik. They were married on Dec 21, 1944. She immigrated to America on Jul 20, 1962. Her husband, who came to America five years earlier, was eagerly waiting for her and his two sons at the port of entry in New York City. 

She was taken to a new home in Royal Oak. There, an exciting new life began. Her husband, along with partner, John Davey, started a car dealership called Imported Cars of Royal Oak. 

Doris gave support to her family and worked hard to learn English. She was able to use her impeccable seamstress skills to land a job at Stewart's Fabrics in Birmingham and, later, she worked at the Madison Heights Community Hospital.

In 1989, she and her husband moved permanently to their summer cottage on Selkirk Lake in Kalkaska. With this move, she was able to visit her Traverse City family with ease. 

Doris loved nature and enjoyed swimming, hiking, and picking mushrooms. She also loved to travel. Doris and her husband, Ewald, (or "Chris") once made a camping trip to the Arctic Circle, driving both ways in their little Fiat and spending nights in the frozen Tundra in an unheated tent. 

Other favorite travels included Europe, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, California, and Costa Rica. Closer to home, her favorite destination was the Pictured Rocks in the Upper Peninsula, where she enjoyed hiking and swimming in Lake Superior. For winters, Doris and Ewald traveled to Sanibel Island, FL, to bask in the warm sun. 

Her husband passed away Mar 1994, while in Florida. After her great loss, she became involved in her community. She was a member of the Kalkaska Garden Club, Hospice, the Book Club, and also was a Kalkaska Public School volunteer. 

She enjoyed the many friends made at the Kaliseum pool and her Blue Lake Senior Group. 

Doris was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and also an avid reader, master cook, gardener, and one of the most open-minded giving people you could know. She befriended all ages with her wonderful attitude and gentle ways. Her kindness above all and her apple strudels will be long remembered. 

Preceding her in death were her husband, Ewald; sisters, Friedi and Lotti and son, Frank. 

Surviving are her son, Ewald G Schimik and daughter in law, Nadine Schimik of Traverse City; grandchildren, Erika and Kristin and numerous relatives in Austria and Scotland. 

Cremation has taken place and a family celebration of life will take place in the spring. Those wishing to share are invited to her home. 

 

Publication

The Leader and Kalkaskian
Kalkaska, Michigan

Disposition

Cremation

Parent

No Parents Listed

Spouse

Ewald Hans Schimik (Husband)

Child

No Children Listed

Sibling

No Siblings Listed