MARJORIE WILKERSON

Marjorie Lee Meyer-Wilkerson, 87 of Frelsburg, passed away Friday, Apr. 30. Marjorie was born to Ferdinand Leo Meyer, Sr. and Lillie Emma Wunderlich-Meyer on the family farm in Pisek Sept. 26, 1933. She was baptized Nov. 30, 1933 by Pastor H.C. Poehlmann at Trinity Lutheran Church in Frelsburg. Her paternal grandparents were founding members of the church. On July 21, 1946 Marjorie was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church by Pastor Paul S. Fisher.

Born on the farm in the house built by her Opa’s hands, she and her parents moved twice. At the age of 10, the family moved to Post Oak Point Road where she attended St. Joseph School. Prior to this move, she attended a one-room schoolhouse named Boggy Branch School—it was here that Marjorie learned to read, write, and converse in English. She was very proud of her German heritage. In 1946, her parents moved to Galveston. While living on the island, Marjorie attended Stephen F. Austin Middle School and graduated from Ball High School in 1951 where she was chosen Distributive Education Sweetheart.

Declining a full schol arship to study nursing at Texas Lutheran College, after graduation from high school Marjorie married Charles Weldon Wilkerson, the love of her life. The two met during middle school as Weldon was a soda fountain jerk at Star Drugstore on the Strand. They dated for five years before announcing their engagement. On Feb. 9, 1952, high school sweethearts Weldon and Marjorie married at First Lutheran Church in Galveston. They were married for 67 years. Prior to their marriage, she worked for Eiband’s Department Store and John Hutchins Sealy National Bank. After she and Weldon married, she stayed at home to take care of her family and truly enjoyed being a homemaker. Marjorie often said, “we married in Leap Year and leapt for the following three Leap Years with our three children: Charles Ray Wilkerson, Sondra Lee Wilkerson-Schaaf and Wayne Weldon Wilkerson.” She was also proud to note that her three children were all born on a Wednesday and in chronological order…on the 25th, 26th and 27th (however not in consecutive months).

After a brief move to Angleton while losing she and Weldon’s home to Hurricane Carla in 1961, the family settled in Pasadena for the next 51 years. It was in Pasadena that she raised her children and saw them grow and prosper. Marjorie was a devout Lutheran woman who lived a simple and unquestioning faith. Weldon and Marjorie were members of First Lutheran Church-Pasadena and founding members of Peace Lutheran Church-Pasadena. Here, they had many longtime friends who were, in many respects, a second family to them. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Martha Circle, Pasadena Grandmothers Club No. 822, Pasadena Garden Club, S.P.J.S.T. Pasadena Lodge, Prime Timers, and The Sunshiners. In many respects, she was “the little old lady from Pasadena!”

Marjorie, also known as “Granny” to her family, enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, gardening, cross stitch, needle point, housework, her poodles, traveling on vacations, polka dancing, listening to country music, big band music, and local oprys. She and Weldon loved dancing at the local S.P.J.S.T. hall and square-danced for many, many years. A lover of bluebonnets, all things purple, and a true German at heart, Marjorie and Weldon moved to Frelsburg on Jan. 1, 2013. She was truly “back home” and together, they enjoyed life in the country and were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Frelsburg…her childhood church. Surrounded by many friends and family there, they were lovingly embraced into the community of her birth. While in Frelsburg they enjoyed bible study, playing dominoes and joker with the neighbors, attending the Industry and Shelby opry’s, riding to look at the deer, and just sitting on the front porch. Marjorie loved to stop by and “visit people” as often as she could. A wonderful cook, Marjorie was well known for her Sunday dinners, dressing at Thanksgiving, a Christmas feast, and her famous banana pudding. As she always said, “a meal only tastes good ‘if’ you love to cook and if your guests eat a second helping…schmeckt gut, alles wilkommen.” A devoted wife and mother, Marjorie will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Marjorie is survived by her son Charles Ray Wilkerson (Debbie-Pasadena); her daughter Sondra Lee Wilkerson-Schaaf (Stacy-Pearland); and son Father Wayne Weldon Wilkerson (Fayetteville/ Houston). She is also survived by her grand children: Brian Wilkerson Sr. (Tonja-Odessa); Darren Wilkerson and his girlfriend, Tiffini Reider, and her daughters Kaelynn and Kinsley Olson (Pasadena); Emma Schaaf (Dickinson) and fiancé, Robert Parker, Jr. (Houston); and Tyler Schaaf (Pearland). She boasts three great-grandchildren: Susie Maddox (Austin-Odessa); Brian Wilkerson, Jr. (Odessa); Kayla Wilkerson (Houston); and her great-great grandchildren, Easton and Adeline Maddox (Odessa). Marjorie has one brother, Ferdinand Leo “Bubba” Meyer, Jr. (Elgin); and many nieces and nephews. Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents: Ferdinand and Lillie Meyer, formerly of Columbus.

Funeral arrangements are: A Funeral Mass Monday, May 10 at 10 a.m. at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Houston, where her son, Father Wayne Wilkerson, will serve as celebrant. A second funeral service will commence Tuesday, May 11 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Frelsburg, where Pastor Rodwell Thom, her former pastor in Pasadena, will preside. Following the funeral service, the Rite of Christian Burial led by her son, Father Wayne Wilkerson, at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. There will be a viewing at the church one hour prior to both funerals. A visitation for those who desire to pay their respects and sign the funeral registry will be at Henneke Funeral Home Monday, May 10 from 4-6 p.m. Safety COVID protocols and procedures, including the wearing of facial masks, will be observed. Masses for her eternal repose can be offered at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Houston, Texas. Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church in Frelsburg, P.O. Box 245, New Ulm, TX 78950. Immediately following the burial, all are invited to attend a reception which will be held at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Diamond Center in Frelsburg.

Serving as pallbearers in Houston are: Stacy Schaaf, Robert Parker, Jr., Darren Wilkerson, Brian Wilkerson, Sr., Delbert Kulhanek, and Clyde Skarke. Serving as pallbearers in Frelsburg are: Brian Wilkerson, Sr., Darren Wilkerson, Stacy Schaaf, Robert Parker, Jr., Jeff Pflughaupt, and Lambert Brune. Honorary pallbearers are: Tyler Schaaf, Brian Wilkerson, Jr., Eddie Wilkerson, Austin Maddox, Glenn Weishuhn, Tim Kulhanek, Allen Meyer, David Meyer, and James Meyer.

For those wishing to express prayers and sympathy, online condolences may be shared with the family at:www.hennekefuneralhome.com. Services are under the direction of Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus.