Elinor Kettler

Elinor Margaret Brooks Kettler, age 85, widow of Melvin Kettler, died on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011 at College Station Medical Center. Elinor was born April 15, 1926 in Navasota, Texas, the daughter of George Willard and Bernice Cone Brooks. She was baptized into the resurrection of Jesus Christ in First Baptist Church of Navasota in April, 1938 at the age of 12 by Dr. W.A. Bowen. Elinor grew up in Navasota, Texas, where she attended Navasota High School. She also attended Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville. Elinor joined St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Feb. 13, 1992. On October 7, 1944, she married Harold G. Harrison while he was home on leave from the U.S. Navy at her sister''s home in Navasota by Reverend Howard Shoemake. On September 7, 1996, she married Melvin Kettler at St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church by Rev. Murray Travis of Abilene and Pastor Edwin Lampe of Brenham. Elinor was a loving mother and grandmother and great-grandmother. Affectionately known as "Mimi" by her family and friends, she was a lover of the arts and a talented artist, as demonstrated by her incredible oil paintings. She loved traveling the world and took great pride in sharing her experiences through her scrapbooks. Elinor was an avid reader and was instrumental in fundraising for the founding of the Bellville Library. Survivors include her daughter, Julie and husband Larry Tegeler of Brenham; son Philip Harrison and wife Jeanette of Bellville; daughter Georganna and husband David Marek of Bellville; grandchildren, Amey Rogas and husband Russell, Bradley Tegeler, James Harrison and wife Holly, Haley Beham and husband Matthew, Sara Marek and fianc½ Robert Kramer and John Harrison and special friend Dori Rodriguez;step-son, Ron Kettler and wife Sue; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charlie and Peggy Harison of Bedias; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Elinor was preceded in death by her parents, G.W. and Bernice Brooks; husbands, Harold Harrison and Melvin Kettler; sister, Bernadine Moore; brother-in-law, Tom Moore; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Uldene and Dick McIntyre. A visitation will be held from five o''clock until seven o''clock, Saturday, November 26 at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. A memorial service is to be conducted at three o''clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 27th of November, at St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham, where the Reverend Phil Fenton is to serve as the officiant. Prior to Sunday''s memorial service, the family will gather for a private interment, where Elinor''s much-loved grandsons Bradley Tegeler, James Harrison, John Harrison, Russell Rogas, Matthew Beham, Robert Kramer and great-grandson Britt Rogas are honored to serve as her pallbearers. In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, the family suggests contributions be directed to St. Paul''s Christian Day School Library at 305 W. Third, Brenham, TX or charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit: www.memorialoakschapel.com.