PRAUSE
Mary Ellen Prause, beloved wife, sister, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully on Apr. 23, into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she loved dearly.
She was born to Howard and Adell (Muzny) Schindler on Oct. 18, 1940. At a dance in 1955, she met Dan Prause who had just returned from the Army. As he walked into the hall in his full uniform, she turned to her mother and said, “I’m going to marry that man”. On Nov. 30, 1957, after graduating early from Columbus High School, she and Dan were married. A true partner, Mary Ellen and Dan worked tirelessly running various businesses throughout their married life that included The Columbus Quarter Horse Racetrack, Popeye’s/Augie’s Convenience Store, Hallmark Realty and A Top Gun Pest Control.
Her greatest accomplishment she would tell anyone, was being a mother to Ty, whom she loved very deeply. There was nothing she loved more than mothering him and all of his precious friends throughout his life.
In 1981, Mary Ellen went back to school and earned her real estate license. This, being her second love, she helped countless couples and families buy and sell homes in the Columbus area. Even in her final years, she would talk about to whom and where she sold property.
Mary Ellen is survived by her son Ty and daughter-in-law Julie, adopted son Aurelio “Welo” Alonso and daughter-in-law Christy Alonso, grandchildren Carina and Damian Alonso, her brother Billy Joe Schindler, niece Kathe Schindler Balusek, great nephew, Jay Schindler, and numerous cousins, in-laws and dear friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Howard and Adell Schindler, husband, Dan and nephew Howard James “Jamie” Schindler, II.
The family will hold visitation on Thursday, Apr. 28 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus Texas, followed by a Parish Prayer Service and Rosary at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Apr. 29 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus with Father Augustine Asante officiating. A private burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers are: Jay Schindler, Casey Kulhanek, Uriel “Pancho” Espitia, Byron Marburger, Heinz Harrison, Chip Schneider, and Smokey Leyendecker.
Honorary pallbearers are: Brenda Marburger, Holly Waligura, Jane Leudeke, Judge Francis Truchard, Jimmie Hodde, Mike Kulhanek, Fritzi Kulhanek, Froni Yariger, Dr. Cecil Marburger, Andy Michalk, Kyle Duge, Johnny Schindler, and Edward Smith.
The family would like to thank the dedicated women who helped take care of Mary Ellen in the last several years: Juanita Aguirre, Tanya Austin, Johanna Diaz, Ruby Fitzgerald, Maria Lopez, Mary Nightingale, Betty Jean Williams and Mary Etta Williams. In addition, Leroy Glover, who was always willing to take her wherever and whenever she wanted to go, including many trips to Schobel’s Restaurant.
Mary Ellen will be dearly missed by all family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Anthony Catholic School, 635 Bonham St., Columbus, TX 78934 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.