Roll Call Tribute

Mary Lee Florschuetz

May 20, 1934 - August 16, 2022

Mary Lee Florschuetz, 88, was called home to her heavenly father with family by her side on August 16, 2022 at her home in New Braunfels, TX.

Mary Lee was born on May 20,1934 on a farm in Easton, Illinois to Lela and Glenn Strube. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, Topeka, IL. As a child she attended a one room school and was the only student in her grade. She was involved in 4H, learned to sew and raised chickens and pigs. She attended Easton Community High School and was involved in choir, played tenor sax in the band, and played on a softball team with her sister, Elaine. She graduated as salutatorian in 1952.

After graduation, she studied at Western Illinois Teachers College where she met her future husband Duane W. Florschuetz. They married in 1954 and both graduated from the University of Illinois in 1955. Upon graduation with a BS in Education, Mary Lee taught 3rd grade in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. After Duane was drafted into the US Army and stationed in Germany, Mary Lee joined him. Their first daughter was born in Germany. When they returned to the states, they moved to Leland, Illinois where their 2nd daughter was born before moving to Decatur, IL. In Decatur, Mary Lee developed a kindergarten program and then taught 4th grade at an inner city school. During this time, they also had their 3rd daughter, followed by their only son, and fostered a newborn. When Duane felt called to go into the ministry, they moved with their four children to Springfield, IL where she taught kindergarten while Duane attended seminary.

After a vicarage year in Denton, TX and a wonderful summer in Evergreen CO living in the mountains in an A-frame with 4 kids and no running water, the family moved to Alma, MI where Duane was called to pastor his first congregation, Peace Lutheran. While in Alma, Mary Lee was very involved in the church. She also enjoyed leading preschool story hour and being Mom to her pre-teen and teenage children while also fostering 2 more teenage girls.

After seven years in Michigan, God called Duane to Bethel Lutheran Church in Bryan/College Station, Texas. Mary Lee continued her career as an educator by teaching in a private kindergarten and then decided to go back to school at Texas A&M, where two of her daughters were also enrolled. Mary Lee earned her M.S. in Educational Psychology in 1983 and became a Licensed Professional Counselor. After moving to Round Rock, TX, she joined a well established counseling group for a few years before she decided to branch out and start her own successful counseling practice for 7 years.

Upon retirement, Mary Lee and her husband settled in Sun City in Georgetown, TX and they continued to demonstrate their love for others by faithfully serving in Laborers For Christ while traveling around the country with their RV, spending many summers parked at their son's house in Evergreen, CO. Mary Lee enjoyed crocheting blankets for grandchildren, making pottery, painting, sculpting, playing Mah Jongg with neighbors and friends, leading many grief groups and playing in the bell choir at Faith Lutheran Church. In 2014, Mary Lee was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery right before her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor, glioblastoma. She was an exceptionally dedicated caregiver and advocate, taking Duane to every doctor's appointment, caring for him at home until he started losing his battle and entered a nursing home where she then sat with him every single day.

After Duane's passing, Mary Lee continued living at Wesleyan Independent Living in Georgetown. She helped open and start a new art room/program, played in putting competitions, played Mah Jongg in Sun City, traveled with her "Grannies Gone Wild" friends and continued to lead grief groups while navigating her own grief. Right before the Covid pandemic, she made the decision to move in with her daughter, Deborah, in New Braunfels. During the pandemic she enjoyed reading and having a virtual book club with 2 of her daughters, daughter-in-law and her sister, Norma before her passing. She also spent time feeding and watching all of the birds in her backyard and having regular FaceTime calls with grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Family was very important to Mary Lee and she made a concerted effort to stay in touch with friends and relatives near and far. If at all possible, she attended every sporting event, baptism, confirmation, wedding, graduation of her children, grandchildren, and other family and friends. She will be remembered for being steadfast in her faith, values and love. She will also be remembered for having a servant's heart and being empathetic, compassionate, a good listener, a loyal friend and for having the best smile. She loved playing games and doing puzzles, being creative, and sharing her passion for pottery and art.

Mary Lee is survived by daughter Deborah Grote of New Braunfels; daughter Becki (Tom) Oldham of New Braunfels; daughter Laura Vaughn of Irving, TX; son Alan (Diane) Florschuetz of Evergreen, CO; brother Robert (Patricia) Strube; brother Daniel Strube; brother in law Ray Rue; brother in law Walt Hess; brother in law Leon Florschuetz; sister in law Nancy (Gregg) Turk. She adored her 10 grandchildren, Katrina (Andrew) Sullivan, Rachel (Tim) Huynh, Scott Vaughn, Jacob (Ashley) Oldham, Ryan Grote, Jordan (Kevin) Cassell, Angela (Johannes) Veerman, Emma Oldham, Bryce Florschuetz and Morgan Florschuetz. She also has been blessed with 8 great grandchildren, Novalee, Stella and Trace Oldham, Joshua Huynh, Samuel and Vera Sullivan, Brooks Cassell and Hans Veerman. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sisters, Elaine Hess and Norma Rue.

A memorial service and celebration of her life is planned for Friday, October 7, at 11 am at Faith Lutheran Church in Georgetown, TX.

For those wishing to commemorate Mary Lee's life with a contribution, please consider Faith Lutheran Church in Georgetown, TX www.flcms.org ; St Paul Lutheran Church in New Braunfels, TX www.nbstpaul.org ; or Heifer International www.heifer.org