Katie Effenberger

Katie Henrietta Steen Effenberger 87 of Brenham, Texas celebrated her Heavenly homecoming on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at home in Brenham, Texas. Katie was born in Burton, Texas on December 29, 1925 to Willie and Erna Hahn Steen. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Nebraska where the remaining 5 children, Lucille, Glenn, William, Gladys and Alice were born before moving back to the Washington County area. Katie attended the Boundary Country School through the 8th grade. At the age of 20, Katie began her 45 year career at Bren-Tex mills in Brenham. In 1956 a new school teacher, Franklin C Effenberger, came to visit at Greenvine Baptist one Sunday night and spying him from the choir, she commented, "He wouldn''t be bad to take home!" And on June 8, 1957, she did just that. After a honeymoon at Padre Island, Texas, she and Franklin settled in to the life of a school teacher and Quality Control Technician. She was a dedicated member of Greenvine Baptist where she was a Sunday school teacher, in the choir, sponsored kid''s activities, worked in the kitchen, Vacation Bible school teacher/worker and member of the Women''s Missionary Fellowship. Katie never knew a stranger or if she did, she would have to ask questions to eliminate that situation very quickly. She was an avid letter writer and only her loss of seeing prevented her from continuing her ministry through letters in the last few years. A meal at Katie''s was always delicious and she was an example to model as a hostess. After both she and Franklin retired, it seemed that their life was even busier. They were faithful attendees of the Washington County Prayer Breakfast and she helped Franklin with his Retired Teachers Meetings as well as their continued service at Greenvine Baptist Church. They enjoyed traveling to many places: this would include 4 trips to Germany to reconnect with the Steen family members that live there. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Franklin C Effenberger of Brenham, Texas; brothers and sisters in-law: Donald and Barbara Effenberger of Sequin, Tx., Harold Meyer of Graham. Tx., Marcie and Don Russell of San Antonio, Tx, Shirlene Steen of Arlington, Tx. Her nephews that have provided direct care: Nathan and Julie Steen and their children, Kimberly, Ryan and Jillian of Brenham, Tx. Other nieces and nephews that loved her dearly include Joe and Teresa Steen Corbet of Arlington, Tx, John and Cathy Herzog Davis of Martindale, Tx, Blaine Russell of San Antonio, Tx Dena Russell of San Antonio, Tx , Vernon and Sharon Steen Garner of Arlington, Tx George and Glenda Steen Gandy of Arlington Tx Alan Ray Herzog of Thorndale, Tx Michael Herzog of Brenham, Tx Ronnie and Stacey Herzog of Leander, Tx Jerry and Lisa Steen McElvoy of Mansfield, Tx Royce and Kayla Meyer of Lewisville, Tx., Ricky Steen of Arlington, Tx, Gary and Misti Steen of Jersey Village, Tx, Russell and Rhonda Steen of Houston, Tx, Steve and Beverly Meyer Stewart of Graham, Tx. and many great-nieces and nephews. Many friends including Darlene Bloudeau of Brenham, Tx, Roger and Candy Huebner of Burton, Tx and the many members at Greenvine Baptist Church and AMA Heath-care providers, especially Joyce Pribilski. Katie was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Erna Hahn Steen. All five of her siblings: Lucille Steen Meyer, Glenn Steen, William Steen and William''s wife, Ruth Steen, Gladys Steen, and Alice Steen Herzog and her husband, Ted Herzog and her sister–in-law, June Rose Effenberger Cochran. Funeral Services for Katie will be held on Saturday, March 16 at 10:00am at Greenvine Baptist Church located at 5010 FM 2502, Burton, Texas. Interment will be at the Greenvine Baptist Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, March 15 from 6:00-8:00 at Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham, Texas. Funeral arrangements are being made by Memorial Oaks Chapel. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations can be made to Greenvine Baptist Church.