Beatrice Dorothy Koelzer

Mass of Christian Burial for Beatrice Dorothy (Fuhrmann) Koelzer, age 95, of Muenster will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 4, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Services officiated by Reverend Austin Hoodenpyle. Burial to follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Rosary will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Beatrice died on Monday, March 31, 2025 at Wesley House Memory Care in Gainesville, Texas.
Beatrice was born on October 16, 1929 to Matt and Rosa (Orth) Fuhrmann in Muenster, Texas. She attended Sacred Heart School until 4th grade and then the family moved to Lindsay where she graduated high school in 1947. She married Earl "Smokey" Koelzer on October 19, 1948 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Lindsay, Texas. They moved to Houston, Texas for a year after marriage. They then returned to Muenster and started their family of 5 children: Beverly, Earl Jr., Louis, Jimmy, and Molly. Her life included being a traditional homemaker, devoted wife, and mother.
She worked a short time at a clothing factory in Saint Jo until the Lord blessed them with a surprise 5th child, Molly. She then stayed home until Molly started school. She returned to the workforce and became the first female employee at Valenite Tool Company. She retired in 1993 after 20 years at Valenite to care for Smokey during his extended illness. They celebrated 53 years of marriage before his passing in 2002.
Beatrice enjoyed the next 20 years spending time with family, including births, weddings, birthdays, and wonderful Christmas celebrations. During these celebrations it was normal to find her at her piano performing a sing along, or at the table playing a friendly game of sheepshead. She loved to join her family on any trips they had planned.
She was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the VFW auxiliary. She also volunteered at the local nursing home in her later years.
Beatrice is survived by her children: Beverly and husband Matthew Wilson of Muenster, Earl Jr. and wife Janet Koelzer of Gainesville, Louis and wife Evelynn Koelzer of Montague, Jim "Smoke" and wife Carol Koelzer of Muenster, and Molly and husband Wesley Sicking of Muenster; 15 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; sister: Louise Ann Haverkamp of Lindsay; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Earl "Smokey" Koelzer, Sr.; parents: Matt and Rosa Fuhrmann; granddaughter: Melanie Koelzer; sisters: Marge and husband Paul Devers, Stella and husband Joe Zimmerer, Katie and husband Donald Buck, Gertie and husband Red Loerwald, Henrietta and husband Bill Dankesreiter; brothers: Raymond and wife Jeannie Fuhrmann, Bert Fuhrmann, and Ewald and wife Irma Fuhrmann; and brother-in-law: Ray Haverkamp.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Home Hospice of Cooke County (PO Box 936 Gainesville, Texas 76240), Sacred Heart Trust Fund, or Subiaco Academy.