Doris Elaine Kirkpatrick

With profound sadness and deep gratitude for a life well lived, we announce the passing of Doris Elaine (Schramek) Kirkpatrick, 75, of Brighton, CO, who passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026. Doris was born on January 27, 1951, in Hemingford, NE, the youngest daughter of Joseph and Mabel (Fendrich) Schramek.

She grew up on a farm near Hemingford, NE, and graduated from Hemingford High School in 1969. She married Samuel “Sam” Kirkpatrick later that year. They began raising their family consisting of Kimberly (Kirkpatrick) Miller and Jodi Kirkpatrick. Sam’s career with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad took the family across the western United States from Nebraska to South Dakota, Wyoming, Washington, and, finally, Colorado. Along the way, Doris built a legacy that will continue to live on through all who knew and loved her, living a life defined by resilience, hard work, unconditional love, and unwavering devotion to her family.

After moving to Colorado, Doris and Sam initially lived in Westminster until Sam retired from the railroad. They then moved to a large parcel of land on the outskirts of Brighton where Doris enjoyed caring for a wide variety of animals. Doris lived with Parkinson’s disease for several decades. In 2022, she moved back to Westminster to live with her daughter, Jodi. Together with Jodi’s long-time friends, Jared Asdel, Jarrod Moquist, and son, Sammy, Jodi helped Doris with her everyday tasks. In the summer of 2024, Doris moved initially to a care facility in Wichita, KS, near her other daughter, Kim. She eventually moved in with Kim and her husband, Al. Together, with their son, Austin, and Austin’s partner, Evris, they cared for Doris until she moved back to a care facility in Colorado in 2025 to be closer to her family.

Doris was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She dabbled with some jobs, including waitressing, being a seamstress, being a secretary, and working a toll booth. She loved searching for hidden treasures, buying and selling antiques, and never missed an opportunity to browse an antique mall, estate sale, or a garage sale. However, her true passion was her family and giving them whatever they needed to thrive. Doris was the most kind and thoughtful person you could ever meet, always focused on others’ comfort over her own, even in her last several years where she battled confusion brought on by her Parkinson’s.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mabel (Fendrich) Schramek; her brother, Edward Schramek; and grandson, Zachary Suljak.

She is survived by her husband, Sam Kirkpatrick; her sisters, Marlene (Schramek) Shaw and Georgia (Schramek) Callahan; her daughter, Kimberly (Kirkpatrick) Miller and husband, Al Miller and their children, Austin Miller and Lindsay Miller; her daughter, Jodi Kirkpatrick and her children, Ben Suljak, Jesse and Nicole (Suljak) Troughton, Derek and Savanah (Kirkpatrick) Wilson, Sammy Suljak and her great grandchildren Lanie Taylor Wilson and Amelia Sidnee Troughton.

Doris’ legacy is one of perseverance, compassion, and unconditional love. Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that she passed away peacefully. Her warmth, laughter, wisdom, and generous spirit will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

In honor of Doris, donations can be made to “The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research” in lieu of flowers.