Ira Zuehlke

Ira Dement Schatz Zuehlke was born September 26, 1903 at the home of her beloved parents, Bethel and Emma Black Dement in Burton, Texas. Ira taught school in Gay Hill, Texas and helped operate Red & White Grocery Store and the Washington County Hatchery in Burton. Ira was the first woman in the state of Texas to serve as a bank director to Burton State Bank, 1962-1984. Ira was a devoted Christian, making a difference as a lifelong active member of Bethany Christian Church in Burton. She was never blessed with birthing children of her own, but she was a mother figure to so many and a true blessing and inspiration to every life she touched. Ira radiated the love of Jesus Christ with her inner beauty and her passion for life as a Christian mentor and care giver. She had a unique gift and talent for telling great stories both from the Bible and from life experiences. She was a loving and respected daughter, wife, sister, aunt and a friend to all who knew her, filling every heart with her grace and love. Ira was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Charles L. Schatz 1924-1962, and second husband of 10 years, Max Zuehlke 1966-1976; three brothers, Harold, Robert Bob Dement and Johnny M. Dement; two sisters-in-law, Frances Hardy Dement and Marguerite Walters Dement; great-niece, Susan Vickland; nephew-in-law, Arthur Vickland; and stepdaughter, Dorothy Zuehlke Lehrmann. Survivors include her sister-in-law of 65 years, Ila Faye McCarley Dement of Pasadena, Texas; nephews, Robert Steve Dement and wife Lynda of Pasadena, Texas, John Andrew Andy Dement and wife Peggy of Richmond, Texas, Harold Bat Dement and wife Maggie Of Bellaire, Texas; nieces, Jo Dement Vickland of Jacksonville, Texas, Mary Beth Dement Coward and husband Jim of Houston, Texas, Judy Faye Dement Nieuwenhuis and husband Roelof of LaPorte, Texas and Evelyn Styles Jackson and husband Jiles of Austin, Texas; stepdaughter, Maxine Zuehlke Barber of Burton; stepgrandson, Paul Max Barber of Burton, Texas and special stepgranddaughter, Debbie Lehrmann of Brenham, Texas. She is also survived by numerous great-nieces and nephews, many cousins, other relatives, friends and loved ones, as well as new acquaintances she has made in the past five years living at the Gazebo Terrace in Brenham and also precious longtime close friend, Dorothy Lee Holchak of Burton, Texas. Pallbearers will be her adored nephews, Steve, Andy and Bat Dement, along with nephews-in-law, Jim Coward and Roelof Nieuwenhuis and great-nephew-in-law, Dick Van Hooser. Honorary pallbearer will be Jiles Jackson. Viewing at Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, in Brenham will be Thursday, Nov. 13 from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Viewing at Foehner Funeral Home, 13560 W. Washington, in Burton will be Friday, Nov. 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visitation with the family at Foehner Funeral Home will be on Friday, Nov. 14 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Celebration of her life will be at the Bethany Christian Church in Burton on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 10:30 a.m. with Bob Hofmann officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Burton. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Oak Hill Cemetery in Burton, the Harold Dement Scholarship Fund in Galena Park, the Dorothy Lehrmann Scholarship Fund in Brenham or the Bethany Christian Church in Burton.