Fietsam

Annie Carolyn (Kainer) Fietsam died Dec. 19, 2020, following a short illness. She was 84 years old.

Annie was born at home near High Hill, Texas on Jan. 12, 1936. Her parents were Joseph and Anna (Klesel) Kainer. She was the youngest of seven siblings. The family spoke German at home. Her mother and father were farmers. Her father was also the organist and choir director at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill, and he instilled in Annie a life-long love of music and singing.

Annie met John Joseph Fietsam on a blind date at Freyburg Hall. They married on Oct. 2, 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill. The young couple began their careers in the Houston area. They lived in Pasadena, where their first two children were born, Debora and John Jr.

In 1964, John and Annie moved back to Fayette County and settled in Schulenburg. The couple started a business that would later become Tex Propane Company, which today serves thousands of customers in Fayette and surrounding counties. Two more children arrived, Diana and James.

John and Annie became pillars of the Schulenburg community. They were members of St. Rose Catholic Church. John served on the Schulenburg City Council for many years. Annie served a variety of roles for the St. Rose Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of America, St. Rose School, Bishop Forest High School, Schulenburg High Booster Club and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Later in life, Annie enjoyed occasional bus trips to the casinos in Louisiana. She was also active in the local senior citizens group, Navidad Valley Community Connections. She made many more friends through these activities.

Annie fell ill a few weeks before she died. She spent her final days visiting with family. She passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 19, with her son James by her side.

Annie was blessed with five grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. Her infectious laughter will be missed by everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Anna Kainer, husband John J. Fietsam, five siblings including two sisters who became Catholic nuns: Adelheid Kainer (later known as Sister Romanus) Leo Kainer, Celine Kainer (later known as Sister Sarah), Charles Kainer, Marie (Kainer) Kelly, and one son John Fietsam Jr.

Annie is survived by three children: Debbie Behlen and husband Kenneth, Diana Thomas and husband Edward, and James Fietsam and wife Wendy, all of Schulenburg; five grandchildren: Andy Behlen and wife Janessa of La Grange, Adam Behlen of Los Angeles, Calif., Baylie Dillenbeck and husband Wade of Houston, Kelsie Strauss and husband Cole of Boerne, and Jaxon Fietsam of Schulenburg; two great-grandchildren, John and Sam Cox of La Grange; and one brother, Joe Kainer Jr. and wife Maggie of Houston.

The family entrusted services to Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home of Schulenburg. A funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 26 at 2 p.m., at St. Rose Catholic Church in Schulenburg. Entombment will follow in the St. Rose Catholic Cemetery mausoleum. Visitation will take place starting at noon on Saturday with a rosary to be recited at 1:30 p.m.