Rose Lee Hoelscher

1937 - 2023

Rose Lee Hoelscher
June 17, 1937 - March 23, 2023
Rose Lee Patricia Linnartz Hoelscher was born on June 17, 1937 in San Antonio, TX to Leroy Paul and Rose Huston Linnartz. She was married to Donald (Donnie) Thomas Hoelscher on December 30, 1959, and moved to Floresville, TX. She graduated as valedictorian from Ursuline Academy in 1955 and from Incarnate Word College in 1959, majoring in Home Economics. She later obtained her Master's in Guidance and Counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University. Rose was a natural teacher and taught various courses throughout her life, most of which were related to her home economics background.

Rose was a respected businesswoman and community leader in Floresville. Together with her husband, she established Hoelscher's Fine Furniture, Appliances, and Electronics. A Pleasanton location was opened in 1978. Rose delighted in helping customers of the store create a beautiful and comfortable home as a licensed interior designer. She was a member of the Home Furnishings International Association Board. Rose was passionate about the Southwest, historical preservation, and travel. She and Donnie amassed a museum-quality collection of Latin American and Southwestern art, including retablos, furniture, paintings, and tilework.

With a strong belief in service, Rose was active in many civic organizations and assumed leadership positions in many of them. She was a charter member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority serving as president and in other offices. She was a member of the Woman's Club of San Antonio, the San Antonio Gardenia Club, the San Antonio Musical Club, the San Antonio State Hospital Volunteer Services Council, and the Floresville Musical Club. Rose subsequently served as president of the Woman's Club of San Antonio, the San Antonio State Hospital Volunteer Services Council, the San Antonio Musical Club, and the Floresville Musical Club. For two terms, Rose was a member of the Wilson Memorial Hospital Board. Additionally, she participated on the boards of the Wilson County Economic Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Wilson County Texas Agricultural Extension Service. She served as secretary of the board of CASA (Court Appointed. Special Advocate) of South Texas. Rose participated in the Annual Floresville Peanut Festival for years, and was named Grand Marshall of the 2004 Peanut Festival.

Because faith was an important element in her life, Rose was a lector and eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She taught in religious education programs starting in her teens and was a Director of Religious Education for several churches. For two years, Rose was an Associate Director of Religious Education for several churches. Traveling throughout South Texas, Rose trained religious education teachers in many parishes to become knowledgeable and faith-filled ministers. In recognition of her many contributions, she was awarded the Lumen Gentium Award from the Archdiocese of San Antonio in 2017.

Although Rose was involved in many activities, her first love was always her family. She was happiest when her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are gathered in Floresville sharing home-cooked foods. She was also an expert seamstress and made wedding dresses, a baptismal gown, Halloween ornaments, and gowns for the Floresville Peanut Festival and Fiesta.

Rose was preceded in death by her father Leroy Linnartz and mother Rose Huston Linnartz, as well as her brothers, Larry and Danny, brother-in-law Reverend James Hoelscher, and great grandchild Ambrose Stepke. She is survived by her son, John Hoelscher and wife Debbie; daughters Dr. Deanna Hoelscher Kelder and her husband, Dr. Steve Kelder; Gretchen Stepke and her husband, Tim Stepke, and Julie Weber and her husband, Tom Weber; grandsons Andrew Montgomery and his wife, Sara Hewett, Anthony Stepke and his wife, Jenna Srepke, John Wesley Hoelscher, Matthew Hoelscher, Benjamin Kelder, and Samuel Kelder; granddaughters Dr. Katherine Stepke and her husband, Dr. Alex Deng, Abigail Montgomery, Claire Weber Hampton and her husband, Josh Hampton, and Emma Weber; and great-grandchildren Carmela, Augustine, and Maria Stepke.

Visitation at 6 pm with Rosary at 7 pm Sunday, March 26, 2023. Funeral mass at 10 am on Monday, March 27, 2023 with visitation prior at 9:15 am. All services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church 1009 Trail St. Floresville, TX