Nellie Harmel

We remember Nellie Mathilde Harmel, born April 28, 1915 in Burton, TX in Washington Co. to Wilhelm Stark and Emma Koerth. Nellie 94 passed away on January 15, 2010 with family near at the Gazebo Terrace nursing home in Brenham, TX. Nellie was christened January 16, 1916 in Burton, TX and educated at Hohenwalde School. Born in another era, Nellie remembered the Great Depression. She walked to school each day with her brothers and sisters which was a four mile trek. They carried their lunches in a syrup bucket. Nellie married Walter "Slim" Harmel October 22, 1935 in St. John''s United Church of Christ in Burton. They met at a "house dance" and both agreed it was love at first sight. Sister Katherine and fiance Willie Sommerfeld were responsible for getting the couple together. During their first year of marriage, the necessities of life were provided by running a cafe called the "OK Saloon" in downtown Burton. Nellie and Walter were married 51 years. Nellie was a member of St. John''s United Church of Christ, the Mary Martha Circle, Canasta Club and a member of the nominating committee for the Bluebonnet Electric Coop. She devoted her life to her husband and children. Nellie took special care of Walter as he suffered with cancer the last 5 years of his life. Walter said of her at his 80th birthday party: "I''ve got a wonderful wife, I wouldn''t have made it this far without her." Nellie was an outstanding cook. Her delicious homemade bread, layer cakes and molasses cookies were some of her specialties. Granny''s homemade goodies will be especially missed by her grandchildren. Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Aubrey and Evelyn Harmel of College Station; daughter Sharon Scott of Burton; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; 4 brothers, Herbert Stark, Harry Stark, Oliver Stark, Calvin Stark; 3 sisters Leona Bernhardt, Irene Tonn, Katherine Sommerfeld; husband, Walter Harmel, daughter, Brenda Goodson, Son-In-Law, Sheriff Joe Goodson Funeral Services will be held Monday, January 18, 2010 at 10:00 St. John''s United Church of Christ in Burton with Pastor Glen Schoeneberg and Mr. Greg Felder officiating officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives at Memorial Oaks Chapel Sunday evening from 5:00 until 7:30 p.m. Grandsons and friends of the family will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be directed to Hospice Brazos Valley or St. John''s United Church of Christ. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. 979 836-4564. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.