Kathryn Marian Stanley Israel

Kathryn Marian Stanley Israel Feb. 14, 1910 - April 22, 2010 Kathryn Marian Stanley Israel was born to Dr. Clarence J. Stanley and Abbie Gail Clark Stanley on February 14, 1910, at Gause, Texas, in Milam County. She attended several public schools in Texas and graduated as Valedictorian from Leesville High School in 1926. She entered Southwest Texas State Teacher's College in San Marcos, Texas, in the fall of 1928. After obtaining an emergency teaching certificate, she began teaching public school to help earn funds to continue her college education during the Great Depression. She graduated August 21, 1935. She taught in public schools for more than 22 years. She also had a private school for first grade for three years - 1953-1957 at Crestview Methodist Church in Austin, Texas, where both of her daughters attended first grade. While teaching in Pawnee, Texas, she made two life-changing friendships - one with Mavis Krueger Brown and the other with her future husband, Carl Israel. Kathryn was united in marriage to Carl Israel on December 28, 1941, at Elim Lutheran Church near Kenedy, Texas. Along with Carl, Kathryn gained the many loving members of the Gus Israel family of Round Rock, Texas, and the Blomstedt and Gustafson families of Kenedy. When her husband, Carl, surrendered to the call to the ministry, he was sponsored by the Utopia Methodist Church. Carl became a member of the Southwest Texas Annual Conference of the Methodist Church. Carl and Kathryn became a team while Carl pastored churches and attended seminary. Across 30 years they served congregations in Garwood, Dripping Springs/Driftwood, Crestview in Austin, Angelo Heights in San Angelo, San Benito, Ganado, Grace in Austin, Mercedes/Edcouch, and Palacios. Carl retired in 1979. Kathryn and Carl returned to Austin where they again served in ministry at Crestview; but this time they were members. Carl died on May 23, 1983, and Kathryn continued to live in their home across the street from the church until 1999 when aging issues caused Kathryn to move to an apartment at The Grand Court in Round Rock, TX. At The Court, she enjoyed a full life. In December, 2007, Kathryn's mobility and health became impaired causing her to move to the Wesleyan at Scenic Nursing Home in Georgetown, Texas. Kathryn had the joy of celebrating her 100th birthday on Saturday, February 13, 2010, at the Wesleyan with many family and friends. Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Dr. James S. Stanley, his wife Pearl and daughter Ruth Marie, and other brother Robert M. Stanley, his wife Etoile and son Fred Stanley. Survivors are son, Luther Paul Israel of Austin, daughters, Carolyn Kay Canon ( "Butch") of Marble Falls and Myra Sue Schomburg (Carl) of Round Rock. Kathryn is also survived by ten grandchildren - Paula M. Israel, Rhonda M. Klekar, Phyllis Petty, Jean Kruse Blasingame, Bradley E. Canon (Emily), Abigail R. Wylie (James), Jason Gladden (Kathleen), Jeffrey Carl Israel, Heather R. Israel and Sarah N. Israel. Four great-grandchildren also had the honor of knowing her as Mammaw - Kathryn Ashleigh Israel, Shelby Elizabeth Israel, Jamison Caleb Wylie and Jayden Cole Wylie. She also has two great-great grandchildren Marky Susan Truskett and Hunter Alexander Whitehead. In the Stanley family, she is survived by a nephew, James Stanley (Margaret) of Lubbock and a niece Kay Thrasher of Longview. In the Israel, Blomstedt and Gustafson families, she was loved by numerous sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces. Memorial service will be held at Crestview United Methodist Church, 1300 Morrow, Austin, Texas, on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Sue Wells officiating. Burial will be at Palm Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery, Round Rock, Texas. Visitation with the family will be at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar, Austin, Texas, on Friday, April 23, 2010 at 6:00-8:00 p.m. The family expresses gratitude for the many special people who have helped care for Kathryn in the past few years. They have a high calling. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Endowment Funds of Crestview United Methodist Church, 1300 Morrow, Austin, Texas 78757, or to the Wesleyan at Scenic Nursing Home, 2001 Scenic Dr., Georgetown, Texas 78626. Condolences may be made at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com