Wilma Wittneben

On November 4, 2024, God in His mercy, gathered the soul of Wilma Wittneben, 95, Into His loving presence.

Wilma was born at home on Tuesday, March 19, 1929, in the Welcome community of Austin County, Texas to Arthur and Ethlein Glaeser Maurer.

She grew up on the farm, and remembered as a very young child walking hand in hand with her grandfather Glaeser, who would give her crackers as a treat. Life was hard, and her education was limited to 8th grade at the Concordia School, because there was no transportation available to attend high school. There she played softball and volleyball. All food was raised on the farm, and vegetables and fruits were canned, with everyone helping. Her first driving experience was with her father to church. Unfortunately, she didn't step on the brakes in time and hit another car. No damage but the keys were instantly confiscated.

Wilma loved to dance, even as a young child, and danced with her doll in the kitchen, barefooted. The wooden floor was new, with no splinters. She danced all around the kitchen. Later, she and her husband Robert loved to dance, attending dances at the many dance halls in the area. She wrote that after they were older, they made only one or two rounds on the dance floor before having to rest and get a cold beer.

She met her husband, Robert Wittneben, at a dance. She was wearing a red dress and caught his eye immediately. That was it for him! They were married October 24, 1948, at Welcome Lutheran Church by Pastor Walter Wolf. They were married for 68 years when Robert passed away July 31, 2017. They made their home in the Star Hill Community near Industry. Wilma worked alongside her husband on the farm, raising vegetables, chickens and livestock. She tended the cotton fields, picking two acres, with reluctant offspring in tow. The money from the sale of a bale of cotton bought shoes, school supplies, and food. She lived at her home near Industry until weeks before she died.

She took care of her family as a homemaker, although she did work outside the home in the school cafeteria at West End School, and later as a cafeteria manager at Bellville Junior High. She worked in school food service for 30 years. Wilma was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church of New Ulm, and a member of the Ladies Circle.

Family was the focus of her life. An excellent cook, her coffee cakes and cinnamon rolls were legendary. Secret tip: heavy whipping cream drizzled within a pan, with generously sprinkled sugar and cinnamon, on yeast dough...bake at 350 and serve! Roast (add bay leaves); fried chicken: always in a cast iron skillet! Enjoy!

Survivors include her son, Robert Lee Wittneben, Jr.; daughters Linda Kiemsteadt and husband David, and Carol Kruger. Grandchildren: Jason Kiemsteadt (Misti); Bethany Sherrard (Rob); Amy Hale (Zach); Heidi Brooks (Lance); Derek Wittneben; Chad Kruger (Rhonda); Kellan Kruger. Great grandchildren: Laurna Eppel (Alex); Jay Kiemsteadt, Lukas and Ellie Sherrard; Angela Brooks, Owen, Kase and Gage Hale; Anneliese Kruger and fiancé Hayden Moye and Brennam Kruger. Also surviving are numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and her special friend Wilma Reichle.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents and grandparents; sister and brother-in-law, Alita and Willie Winkelmann; brother and sister-in-law, Melvin and Evelyn Maurer; sister-in-law Teola Huff and husband Connie. Also eagerly awaiting her arrival in heaven at the Rainbow Bridge, tails wagging furiously, are her beloved dachshunds, Fraulein, Schatzie, and Franzi.

Our hearts are broken at the loss of this beautiful soul. Kind, loving and generous beyond measure were simple but constant tenets of her life, each and every day. Her sweet and loving nature healed our hearts, wiped away our tears, soothed our nightmares, and looked over her grandchildren and great grandchildren with watchful and tender eyes.

Visitation will be 5-7p.m. on Thursday Nov. 7. 2024. At Memorial Oaks Chapel.

Funeral services for Wilma Maurer Wittneben will be held at 2p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church New Ulm with Pastor Ivy Schulz officiating. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Jason Kiemsteadt, Jay Kiemsteadt, Derek Wittneben, Owen Hale, Chad Kruger, Kellan Kruger and Brennam Kruger. Honorary pallbearers are Kase and Gage Hale, Ellie Sherrard, Anneliese Kruger, Angela Brooks, Laurna and Alex Epple.

Memorials may be directed to St. John Lutheran Church of New Ulm, or any favorite charity.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham, Texas. To post a tribute, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.