Granny Irene's Funeral

Granny Irene passed away this last Friday. We went to Orange Grove on Sunday for the funeral the following day. We spent time down at her house (she lived 3 doors down from Steve & Janice) to look at things that Vic might want to keep as memories. At the end of the trip, we went away with some special teacups, her Christmas China Set, some recipe books she had used, and some odds and ends. Vic really loved looking at old pictures and things around the house; it was sad for him to see stuff like jewelry or things in her bedroom that he remembered from growing up. They had LOTS of memories in her house. They had Sunday lunch there every week and Granny was an incredible cook with lots of recipes that Vic and I use today. She was known, many years ago, for her wedding cakes and still had a drawer full of designs and napkins with designs that she would replicate onto kids birthday cakes or even into wedding cakes. They even found an old letter jacket and letter sweater from his Grandpa who would have graduated around 1940. They are not sure what they will do with the house quite yet; she and Vic's grandpa, Delmas (who died in 2010) lived there since Steve was a child. They have a giant lot and own the lot next door. So, it will be interesting to see what is done with their beautiful home. I know that it will be sentimental to let it go. 

We saw family that weekend and friends and it was a good weekend. The funeral was tough...not just because of her passing, but because...4 kids. ha! Actually, they were good. But, the two little girls were not going to last through the eulogy quietly, so we slipped out with them when Steve began. We got to see more friends and family at the lunch they had in the fellowship hall after. Vic enjoyed the weekend and seeing so many people. 

While Granny had not been doing well for awhile, he was really sad that she had passed. It's hard to think of our grandparents passing away. We are supposed to be the kids and everyone else that is older is supposed to live forever. Sometimes, it can really stink getting older and having to be the "new adults" of our world. 

I am posting both a photo of her from when we saw her in November 2017 as well as Delmas's obituary because I don't think I ever posted it to the blog. It's interesting, because back in November 2017, a big effort was made by all 4 cousins (Shelly, Wes, Vic & Jill) and their families to come home for Thanksgiving together in case that was Granny's last Thanksgiving. The thing is that she was physically very healthy, but slowly her mind was just going. It was 2 years later before her little body and mind gave out. I will always remember Granny for her conversations...she told what she thought and could go from one tangent to another to another to another and never stop. She was hilarious! I will never forget when Megan asked her (while sitting in Steve & Janice's driveway at that 2017 Thanksgiving) how old she was. Granny's response: "Well, nearly to the end." as if that was just regular conversation. And then, she saw holes in Megan's jeans (which were on purpose) and told her she could sew those up for her. haha! I also remember that they gave Granny a little glass of wine (she loved her wine and drank it until the very end of her life) and she threw it back like a shot and drank the whole thing in one drink. Everyone laughed and were so surprised! 

Granny lived to be 96 years old and although her mind started leaving her about 3-4 years before that,  she was a feisty lady and someone who raised a great family. 

Orange Grove - Irene V. Seidel, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2020 at her home in Orange Grove, Texas. She was 96 years old.

Irene was born on August 24, 1923 in Halletsville, Texas to Victor and Pauline Henneke.

She married Delmas P. Seidel on September 23, 1945. To this union were born her two sons, Bruce (Phyllis) Seidel of Alice, Texas, and Steve (Janice) Seidel of Orange Grove, Texas. She has four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Her career started as a school librarian as well as professional cake baker. Many weddings in South Texas were adorned with her cakes, which were as tasty as they were beautiful. Cakes stood out because of their creative beauty.

Irene was also an avid rose gardener and bridge player. She was involved in her boys' education in Orange Grove and also with the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school, study clubs, and prayer lists. She enjoyed traveling with her friends, especially Dorace and Gordon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Delmas Seidel, and two brothers, Herbert Henneke and Victor Henneke, Jr.

She was loved by her children and everyone she met. May she rest in peace.

Visitation with family will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with Funeral Service beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2020 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Orange Grove, Texas with Reverend Tom Turner officiating.

Interment will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at Roselawn Memorial Park in Alice, Texas.

Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 E. Main St., Alice, Texas. 

Delmas's Obituary
Delmas P. Seidel, 87, passed away February 3, 2010 in an Alice nursing home. He was born April 10, 1922 in Westoff, Texas to William and Ida Seidel. Mr. Seidel was a U.S. Marine veteran of World War II and retired as a rural mail carrier. He was a charter member of the first Lions Club in Orange Grove, a member of the Orange Grove Fire Department, the Orange Grove VFW and the First Ev. Lutheran Church in Orange Grove. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Clara Seidel and two sisters, Lucille Lenert and Willean Benner.Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Irene V. Seidel of Orange Grove, Texas; two sons, Bruce (Phyllis) Seidel of Alice, Texas and Steve (Janice) Seidel of Orange Grove, Texas; four grandchildren, Dr. Shelley (Chris) Solcher, Wesley (Megan) Seidel, Vic (Sarah) Seidel, and Jill Seidel; and three great grandchildren, Addison and Macy Seidel and Jack Solcher.Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 5, 2010 at Holmgreen Mortuary with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the First Ev. Lutheran Church in Orange Grove. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park in Alice.In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be given to the First Ev. Lutheran Church in Orange Grove.Arrangements are entrusted to: HOLMGREEN MORTUARY, INC.

Some other photos from the weekend: