Verline Schlabach

Verline Jeanette Schulze Schlabach left this earthly kingdom on February 20, 2015, at the age of 85 years. Verline was born on November 11, 1929, in the Shelby community, the third child of Herbert and Frida Reuter Schulze. She was baptized on January 27, 1930, at her parents'' home by Pastor Julius Bosshard, and confirmed on September 13, 1942, by Pastor Julius Bosshard in St. Paul Lutheran Church of Shelby. Verline attended Shelby and Skull Creek schools and graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1947, with home economics and math being her favorite subjects. On July 18, 1948, Verline and Roy Schlabach were united in holy matrimony at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Shelby by Pastor William Feller. Besides being a homemaker and mother to two children, she spent her entrie working years in the dental and financial profession. She began as a dental assistant in Dr. Stafford''s office in Brenham in 1948 and again assumed that same position in Houston in the office of Dr. David George in the early 1960s. In 1971, after a move to Brenham, she was employed by First Savings Association and served as vice president and branch manager until her retirement in 1987. Verline and Roy moved back to the Shelby community in 1991 where they began their retirement years and began to serve the community in many different areas. Verline always found time to say "yes" when asked to serve. She served as the treasurer of the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department for five years. As a charter member of the Shelby American Legion Post #602, she served as Auxiliary President and Auxiliary Vice President for eight years. Verline was also active in the Helping One Another program by delivering food to those in need in the West End community of Austin County. Verline loved her church and sang in church choirs for 45 years. When not volunteering, she found enjoyment in her grandchildren, watching and encouraging their progress. Verline was particularly proud of her baking skills, especially in baking coconut and chocolate meringue pies, Italian crème cakes and the many dozens of sand tarts she baked for the church''s bake sale. Verline''s hobbies and leisure moments were quite numerous. She loved to dance, and no band played a number that she could not follow and enjoy on the dance floor. Each year as vacation time came, she planned a trip that would be educational and enjoyable for the entire family. One of her most notable hobbies in her later years was that of quilt-making. She quilted several quilts for auctions, assisted others in their quilt making, made and gave quilts as presents to relatives and friends, and spent valuable time teaching her granddaughter how to quilt. When time permitted, she was in her favorite room upstairs designing or planning for the next one. Survivors include her son, Michael R. Karla Schlabach Sr. of Brenham; her daughter, Sheryl L. Dennis Durfey of Smithville; grandchildren, Michael R. Kelly Schlabach of Boston, Matthew R. Meredith Schlabach of Houston, and Sara E. Durfey of Smithville; stepgrandsons, Dwayne A. Durfey and children Shaylee and Dallin, and Steven C. Durfey and children Aiden, Rilee and Lilly; sister-in-law, Katherine Schulze of Shelby; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy E. Schlabach; her parents, Herbert and Frida Reuter Schulze; brothers, Melvin Schulze and Burnie Schulze; and sister-in-law, Burdine Schulze. Funeral services for Verline Schlabach of Shelby will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Shelby with Pastor John David Nedbalek officiating. Burial will follow in the Shelby Cemetery. Visitation with family and friends will take place Tuesday, February 24 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Serving as pallbearers are Glenroy Ebner, Robert Schlabach, August Aschenbeck Jr., Alfred Kelm, Wilkins Aschenbeck, Wendell Rudloff, Larry Schlabach and Mark Schulze. Honorary pallbearers are Roger Schulze, Darrell Schulze, and Mrs. Schlabach''s grandchildren and her nieces. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Shelby, Texas. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham, 979-836-4564. To view the obituary online or to post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.