Jean Kiel

Jean Elizabeth Schlicht Kiel went home to be with the Lord on April 1, 2016.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg, with Pastor Denise Seymour officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Tuesday at the church.

Serving as pallbearers are Austen Smith, Jared Smith, Conner Smith, Nathan Shagam, Shayle Shagam, John Kiel, and Jim Kiel. Honorary pallbearer is Henry Kiel.

Jean or Mitzi as she was known growing up, was born to Wilhelmina Layfield Schlicht and Ralph Schlicht on December 10, 1930. She is predeceased by her husband of 60 years, William Henry Kiel, Jr., her beloved parents and brothers Dean (Mary) Schlicht and Neil (Rose) Schlicht , son in law Mark Smith, brother and sister in law Gilbert and Louise Ziegenbein and nephew Ken Ziegenbein. She is survived by her four children Kathy Smith, Janet (Shayle) Shagam, Jim (Susan) Kiel, John (Julie) Kiel and brother Leo (Doris) Schlicht as well as grandchildren Austen (Lindsay), Jared, and Conner Smith, Naomi and Nathan Shagam, Ruby and Estee Kiel, and Henry Kiel and great-grandchildren Brady and Grey Smith. In addition she is survived by nieces and nephews Lauren, Gretchen, and Kurt Schlicht, Kristen Russell, Susie Mulhern and Craig Schlicht

Jean graduated from Madison General Hospital School of Nursing with a R.N. degree in 1952. She met her future husband, Bill, while he was attending graduate school at the University of Wisconsin. After living in San Juan, Texas and Laurel, Maryland, the couple moved to Kingsville, Texas in 1962 where they lived for 50 years. Bill was a Wildlife biologist for the King Ranch and Jean became immersed in raising her four children and in civic activities. She was a member of the Women's Club and President from 1984-86 and the Music Club President 1991-93. Jean organized the Kingsville Friends of the Library and was the first President in 1986. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and active in the Women of the Church. She was a Girl Scout leader and Summer Day Camp nurse, a Jr. Music Club Sponsor, a Texas A&M Mothers Club member and President 1977-78 and 1982-83. She was a member and President of the Nurses Association , drove the van for AARP, was a Board Member of the American Heart Association and Board Member of the Helen Kleberg Community Center. She was a Member of the Young Performers Competition and was recognized as the 1997 International Young Performers Competition Honoree. This contest is one of two in the United States for pre-college entrants and is held at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

The last 3 years of her life, Jean lived in Lucas, Texas and attended Christ the Servant Lutheran church where she came to know and love those members as well as her beloved Trinity Lutheran friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran, 401 W King Ave in Kingsville, TX 78363; Christ the Servant Lutheran, 821 S Greenville in Allen, TX 75002; or St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4450 FM 1948 Rd N in Burton, TX 77835.

Funeral arrangements for Jean Elizabeth Kiel are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.

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