Ella Borgstedte

Ella Mae Bosse Borgstedte died peacefully late Saturday night, March 19, 2011 at her home in Washington, TX. She died two miles from where she was born on December 21, 1917. Her parents were Wilhelm Adolph Bosse and Minnie Buck Bosse.

Ella Mae was baptized, confirmed and married in Friedens Church of Washington, UCC. She lived out her strong and enviable faith by being involved her entire 93 years in its 121 year history. She is believed to be the first woman to attend an annual business meeting of the congregation and the first of two women to serve on its previously all male council. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, held many leadership positions in the Women''s Guild, baked pies famous coconut pie, made chili and coffee cakes and held lots of hands and gave lots of wise counsel.

With her husband Bill, they founded an agricultural based business, which included a hatchery, feed store and feed mill. She continued its operation after his premature death.

he is survived by daughters and sons-in-law: Janice & Paul Baumer of Columbus, OH, Peggy & Albert Johnson of Houston, Sandra & Willie Antill of Angleton and Jacqueline & James Schroeder of Brenham; grandchildren: Bill and Barbara Baumer of Glouscester, MA, Laurel Baumer & Tom Black of Wayland, MA, Jacqui & Michael Loughry of Columbus, OH, Kristina & Ian Adamson of Atlanta, GA, Bert & Ashley Johnson of The Woodlands, Tracey & Amy Antill and Alison and Tom Muecke all of Friendswood, Jaci Sonnenburg of Austin, Scott Sonnenburg of Bryan, Josh & Jana Schroeder of Brenham and Justin & Ashlea Schroeder of College Station. Her fifteen great-grandchildren, Ryan and Rebecca Black, Quinton, Paige and Rees Johnson, Sydney and Avery Antill, Corey and Halle Baumer, Mackenzie and Garrett Muecke, Clay, Colin, Cade and Jacob Schroeder will dearly miss their great-grandmom. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, including niece Ora Nell James, who was her loving caretaker during this last year of her life. She will also be missed by good friend and additional caretaker, Ophelia Howard.

She was preceded in her death by her husband, William F. Borgstedte and all of her eight siblings, of whom she was the youngest.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Tuesday, March 22 at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. The funeral service will be 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 23 at Friedens Church of Washington, UCC, 20301 FM 1155 East. Greg Felder will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers are her six grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are her five granddaughters.

Friends who wish to contribute in her memory may do so to her church, Friedens Church of Washington, UCC, P.O. Box 306, Washington, TX 77880 or to the charity of choice.