Thekla Riechers

Thekla Babe Kolkhorst Riechers, 87, passed away August 21, 2012 in College Station Medical Center. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 25, 2012 in Friedens Church of Washington UCC, with Pastor Greg Felder officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Thekla Riechers was born June 13, 1925 in Washington, Texas to Otto Fritz and Olga Bosse Kolkhorst. Known affectionately as "Babe", she was baptized July 26, 1925 and confirmed March 17, 1940. Babe attended Browns Prairie School, where she played volleyball and softball, and sang with the choral club. She found employment as a hairdresser and as a bookkeeper until she retired in 1990 to care for her granddaughter, Samantha. Babe enjoyed a long and happy marriage with her beloved husband, Ervin F. Riechers who preceded her in death. She enjoyed an active social life through her membership in the Texas Education Extension Association, and was a devoted fan of the church men''s softball team. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, playing cards and dominoes with relatives and friends, and most of all, attending her beloved granddaughter''s many activities and events. She was a lifelong member of Friedens Church of Washington UCC, a member of the Women''s Fellowship, and she was a former member of the UCC Women. Babe also sang in the church choir in years past. She was a member of the Washington Sons of Hermann, and was also a faithful blood donor. Survivors include her daughter, Shelley Schluens of Brenham; granddaughter, Samantha Olivia Schluens; sisters Ora Nell James and Mildred Breedlove, both of Navasota; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Evelyn and Walter Thielemann, sister-in-law Sis Riechers, all of Brenham, and sister-in-law Dorothy Luedke of Centerville, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Olga Kolkhorst, her husband Ervin Riechers, brothers-in-law Clifford James, Larry Breedlove, Burney Riechers, Charlie Riechers, Jr. and wife Mary Ann, and Gerald Luedke. Serving as pallbearers are Michael James, Alan Dobbins, Royce Lehrmann, Jeff Sparks, Corey Stegent, David Jones Clay, Rick Nietubicz, and Ed Phillips. Honorary pallbearers are Glenda Stegent, Debra Westerfeld, Cindy Nietubicz, Jeanette Long, and LaNell Phillips. Memorials may be directed to Friedens Church of Washington UCC. Funeral arrangements for Thekla "Babe" Riechers are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.