Else Fay “Doodie” Simmank
Else Fay “Doodie” Simmank
d. March 7, 2018
Else Fay “Doodie” Simmank, 82, of Marble Falls, Texas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
Visitation was held Monday, March 12, at Clements Wilcox Funeral Home in Marble Falls. The funeral service will be held at Clements Wilcox Funeral Home in Marble Falls at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 13. Burial will immediately follow at Fall Creek Cemetery in Spicewood, Texas. Serving as pallbearers will be Drake Harkins, Joshua Petty, Sam Harkins, Noah Petty, Troy Petty and Dusty Harkins. Honorary pallbearers are Bob Lloyd and Casey Goodman.
Else lived a vibrant life fulfilled as the guardian of her family — a loyal daughter, sister, wife, and mother.
Else’s parents — Carl Fredrick Rundberg and Else Holder — and her siblings David Rundberg, Patsy Chadima, and Carl S. Rundberg, precede her in death.
Else married John Alvin Simmank on Sept. 19, 1953. In their triumphant marriage of 52 loving years, Doodie and Johnny were guardians of their family and each other until his passing. They were inseparable, prioritizing togetherness and generosity always.
Else was a proud matriarch with a legacy, survived by her three children, Kathy Lloyd (Bob), Gary Simmank (Tina), and Kevin Simmank (Judy); her grandkids, Lisa Petty (Troy), LeeAnn Harkins (Dusty), Shannon Lloyd, Crystal Gallagher (Christopher), Valerie Goodman (Casey), Shane Lloyd, Misty Simpson (Corey), and Kristi Morgan; 14 great grandkids, Drake Harkins, Josh Petty, Sam Harkins, Noah Petty, Tripp and Claire Goodman; Justin, Dylan, and Jacie Lloyd; Paige, Bryce and Cash Simpson; David Thompson and Zachary Morgan; and a great-great grandchild, Paisley Lloyd; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Doodie inspired a great work ethic in her children, running her home as a servant to her highest value of family. She made great sacrifices and adapted in times of hardship, joining the workforce, earning a position in management that she held for more than 20 years. Homemade treats were an expression of love, puddings, layer cakes, pies, and biscuits to celebrate a birthday or offer hope in times of healing. She invented sensational stories, her own folklore with animals, heroes, devils, and razor wit.
Playing dominoes and cards, people were drawn to Doodie and Johnny's kitchen, her charisma at its very heart. Her remarkable luck will always be magic, as are memories of holidays and, of course, fish fries. Catches were abundant. All were loved, all were welcomed, and all were fed — family, neighbors, and strangers turned immediately into friends. Unconditionally supportive of their grankids' passions, Doodie and Johnny inseparably attended every possible event beaming with pride—and God forgive any referee that made a call against kin. These collective rituals and traditions were lessons, acts of love, inclusion, and generosity that define Doodie's legacy.
Ephesians 4:2 teaches, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Else “Doodie” Simmank was the very embodiment of humility. She did not want for more than her family, and she is beloved in us still.
In lieu of flowers the family has designated Backpack Buddies of Llano ISD for memorial contributions.
Any memories you would like to share with the family would be greatly appreciated and can be left on the memorial website clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.
