Dorothy Schwettmann

Dorothy Elizabeth Durden Schwettmann, 93, of Brenham, widow of Helmus R. Schwettmann, passed away June 25, 2011 at her residence. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at Memorial Oaks Chapel, with Pastor Skip Stutts officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Dorothy Elizabeth Durden was born March 30, 1918 in Temple, Texas to Byron Dewitt and Mary Lizzie Jones Durden. A graduate of Brenham High School, she married Helmus R. Schwettmann on November 7, 1936. She was baptized October 19, 1941 in First Baptist Church of Brenham by Rev. George N. Cook. She was a co-worker and member in the family business, Durden Plumbing and Sheet Metal Works from 1925 until 1984. She continued as an employee of Wittner Plumbing until 1997. Active in the Brenham community, Mrs. Schwettmann organized the first Brownie Scout Troop in Brenham in 1948, which became Girl Scout Troop II. Her work with the Girl Scouts began in 1948, and she was a charter leader of the first camp conducted in Camp Texlake by the Girl Scouts, serving as an active Girl Scout leader and counselor for ten years. Her tireless dedication to the Girl Scouts helped influence and shape the lives of many young girls in this area. Favorite pastimes included fishing, crocheting, and knitting. Her family was very important her. She enjoyed traveling to spend time with her daughter and son-in-law, including visits to Korea, Panama and several Central American countries. Survivors include her daughter, Frances Applewhite of Brenham; grandson Jim Daniel Applewhite of Kerrville; great-grandson David Applewhite and wife Allison, and their son Payton and daughter Addison of New Braunfels; great-grandson Scott Applewhite and wife Kim, and their daughters Avery and Autumn of Burton; sister Ella Marie Clayton of Bedias; nieces Shirley Clayton of Tomball and Cathy Clayton Brewster of Reno, Nevada. Preceding her in death was her husband, Helmus Schwettmann; her parents, Byron and Mary Durden; father-in-law and mother-in-law Henry Fred and Lillie Schwettmann; sisters and brothers-in-law Kathryn and Leslie Clayton, Edwina and Lloyd Thomas, and Wilbur Clayton of Bedias, and son-in-law, Col. Jim Applewhite. Serving as pallbearers will be Jim Daniel Applewhite, David Applewhite, Scott Applewhite, Sidney Applewhite, Roland Wittner, and Rodney Wittner. Memorials may be directed to Hospice Brazos Valley or to the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements for Dorothy Elizabeth Schwettmann are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. 979836-4564. To view the obituary or to post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.