Frances Schlick Boettcher

One of the most graceful, elegant, and dignified women we know, she has been the matriarch of our family and the light of our lives, and she will be profoundly missed, but unconditionally remembered. Frances Schlick Boettcher, 98, of East Bernard, Texas, passed peacefully in her home on February 19, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. Frances was born on September 15, 1915 to Ada Dora Meyer Schlick and Armin Frederick Schlick in Ellinger, Texas, and was reared in Wharton, Texas, with her sisters, Wynelle Schlick Huebner and Doris Schlick Kleas. After graduation from Wharton High School, Frances attended Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas, and received a degree in English. Frances married Clem C. Boettcher on September 26, 1937 and moved to East Bernard, Texas, where she spent the duration of her life. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Wynelle. Left to cherish her memory are her three children and their spouses, Clem W. (Buck) and Ruth Boettcher of East Bernard, A. Schlick and Nan Boettcher of Lakeway, and Ada and Dr. Joe T. Prasifka of Wharton. Seven grandchildren and their spouses also are a part of Frances’ family: Jan and Jim Pierce, of Katy, Ruth Ellen Jon Sharp, of East Bernard, Harlan and Nena Boettcher, also of East Bernard, Lynn and Brian Schaezler, of St. Louis, Missouri, Laura and Kyndel Bennett, of Austin, Wade Prasifka of Houston, and Janene Prasifka, of Hermosa Beach, California. From these marriages came sixteen great-grandchildren: Blake, Seth, Larkyn, Ellie, Mia, and Hope Pierce, Lauren, Emily, Will, and Ben Sharp, Mason and Cade Boettcher, Keith and Ellen Schaezler, and Barkley and Johnny Bennett. Frances is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. Frances, known as “Mrs. Frances” or “Mema” to most, spent her life being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. When her three children were youngsters, Frances could always be counted on to participate at the forefront of their activities, whether serving as a school room mother or promoting county fair projects. “Mrs. Frances” faithfully supported Clem in his many years of service at Union State Bank in addition to his numerous local and state advisory board commitments, including his long tenure on the board of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Through these endeavors, they developed lifelong friends with whom they delighted in traveling. “Mema” most enjoyed her time spent with loved ones where she instilled numerous traditions regarding cooking and sewing. Family gatherings always involved food, desserts, and loving fellowship. Frances is remembered for her fried homemade noodles, “Sunday” fried chicken dinners, and her German Milander Schnitten cookies, plus multi other long-established recipes. These delicacies have continued to appear on Boettcher dining tables at every holiday gathering. Frances’ beautiful handiwork, including needlepoint kneeling pillows at her church, plus holiday stockings and ornaments, will be treasured forever. For many years, Frances served as a Pink Lady volunteer with Wharton Caney Valley Hospital Auxiliary. Moreover, she delighted in hosting her Wharton Sewing and Bridge Club friends at “spirited” luncheons, combining each one with a bit of hand stitchery, card-playing, plus ladies’ conversation! Frances visited East Bernard’s local library each Friday to gather her weekly supply of books and stayed up late each night reading them! Frances remained a diligent supporter of the Texas Aggies and the East Bernard Brahmas throughout her adult life and was enthusiastically involved in the activities involving her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She never missed a pre-game, good luck kiss or a late-night score report from her East Bernard team players. The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to Frances’ devoted housekeeper and friend of over 45 years, Mrs. Ivy Lee Davis. We would also like to express our gratitude to her wonderful doctor, Ivan Mefford, plus her faithful and tender caregivers, Laurie Lewis, Anna Wilkerson, Emelia Svoboda, Jackie Johnson, Deborah Donahue, Cynthia Shropshire, and Evelyn Johnson. Without their dedicated assistance, Frances would have been unable to stay at home, and for this opportunity, the family is forever grateful. A visitation will be held at Wharton Funeral Home on February 21 from 5-7 p.m. The family will have a private interment at the East Bernard Methodist Cemetery on Saturday, February 22, and then at 2:00 p.m., Frances’ life will be celebrated in a memorial service at First United Methodist Church in East Bernard with Reverend Meredith Wende officiating. Immediately following, all are invited to join the family for a reception to be held at Frances’ home. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and grandsons-in-law: Harlan Boettcher, Wade Prasifka, Jim Pierce, Jon Sharp, Brian Schaezler, and Kyndel Bennett. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters and great-grandchildren, Jan Pierce, Ruth Ellen Sharp, Nena Boettcher, Lynn Schaezler, Laura Bennett, Janene Prasifka, Blake, Seth, Larkyn, Ellie, Mia, and Hope Pierce, Lauren, Emily, Will, and Ben Sharp, Mason and Cade Boettcher, Keith and Ellen Schaezler, and Barkley and Johnny Bennett. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to First United Methodist Church, Parsonage Remodel Fund, P. O. Box 476, East Bernard, Texas 77435 or East Bernard Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, P O Box 476, East Bernard, Texas 77435, or to the charity of choice.