Voelkel

Marie was born Dec. 8, 1939 at St Joseph’s Hospital in Houston to Alvin C. Holderrieth and Dessie B. Holderrieth, deceased. She grew up in the Heights area of Houston and was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She earned her education and graduated from Lutheran High School.

Marie met the love of her life, Oscar Branch Voelkel, Jr. on New Year’s Eve 1959 at the Esquire Ballroom in Houston where their mutual enjoyment of dancing began. They were married April 23, 1961 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Houston with the reception at the Bill Mraz Ballroom.

They raised their family in Houston and lived there for 39 years. During this time, she worked full time for an insurance agency as a Controller and retired after 42 years. Her kids recall her coming home from a full day’s work and cooking delicious homemade meals each night.

Marie and Oscar moved to their farm in Shelby where they enjoyed vacationing with the local travel group and joining their children and grandchildren on family trips. They also enjoyed the casinos, where luck would inevitably follow Marie to the slot machines. Many memories were made during these decades, and she would not have traded these experiences for the world.

She adored visits from her children and grandchildren and never failed to have Molasses Cookies or her infamous Dewberry Pie prepared. Marie held immense pride for her children and grandchildren, reflected by the abundant love throughout the entire family. Marie proudly served on numerous committees, Secretary, Harmonie Hall, Shelby, Treasurer, St Paul Lutheran Church, Shelby, Treasurer, Shelby Area Historical Society and Member, Shelby VFD.

In her free time, she could be found working on jigsaw puzzles, cross-stitching, playing sudoku on her iPad, and searching for the next mouth-watering recipe. Much like her needlework, Marie was the thread that guided her family through life and inspired others to recognize the beauty of kindness and patience.

Marie is survived by her husband Oscar B. Voelkel, Jr., Sheila Gross, daughter, Darwin Gross, son-in-law, Meagan Meyer, granddaughter and her husband Tyler Meyer and greatgrandson Jameson Meyer, Jeff Voelkel, son, Karen Voelkel, daughter-in-law, Jack Voelkel, grandson and Kate Voelkel, granddaughter, Cheryl Powell, daughter, Brian Powell, son-in-law, Reid Powell, grandson and Clay Powell, grandson. She is also survived by Donald Holderrieth, brother, Loretta Holderrieth, sister-in-law, Doris Voelkel, sister-in-law and many loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St Paul Lutheran Church and the Shelby Area Historical Society.

A visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, March 1, 2021 at Memorial Oaks Chapel with the family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A private family funeral service will be held for the family.

To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham.