Dorothy Mersmann

Dorothy Jane Mersmann was born in Cat Spring, Texas on January 8, 1933, to parents Richard Kabell and Alice Wittenberg Kabell. She passed away on December 15, 2023, in College Station, Texas.
Dorothy grew up on her parents' farm in Cat Spring and graduated from Sealy High School. On September 15, 1951, she married the love of her life Clarence Edward Mersmann. They remained married for nearly 42 years until Clarence's passing in July of 1993.
Shortly after Dorothy and Clarence married, Clarence enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island until 1953. In Newport, Dorothy worked for the local electric company and as a hospital aide.
Upon returning to Sealy, Dorothy and Clarence started a family and raised four sons: Michael Wayne, Larry Dean, Kevin Duane, and Andy Ray. Dorothy worked for Sealy Elementary School as a teacher's aide for 29 years until her retirement in 1993.
Dorothy and Clarence attended St. John Lutheran Church in Cat Spring and were members of the Cat Spring Agricultural Society for many years. Dancing at the Agricultural Hall and playing 88 dominoes with friends were favorite activities of Dorothy's. She also loved watching her sons and grandchildren's numerous sporting events and dance recitals throughout the years.
After Clarence's passing in 1993, Dorothy continued to live in Sealy until 2012, when she married longtime friend, Otto Reichardt. She lived in Cat Spring with Otto until his passing in December 2022. During their time together, she enjoyed joining him in attending family members' sporting events, fishing, and riding in his Kawasaki Mule around the family property.
Dorothy will be remembered as a loving and generous mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She always put her family's needs over her own, and sacrificed so her family could have more than she did. Dorothy encouraged her sons and grandkids to succeed by offering unconditional love and support.
Dorothy is survived by her son Michael Mersmann and wife Sharon (Sealy), son Larry Mersmann and wife Kary (College Station), son Kevin Mersmann and wife Donna (Katy), and son Andy Mersmann and wife Denice (Katy). She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Ryan Mersmann and wife Amie (College Station), Amy Mersmann (Cedar Park), Keith Mersmann and wife Michelle (Prosper), Taylor Mersmann (Prosper), Zac Mersmann and wife Addison (Lincoln), Chase Mersmann (Houston), Reagan Mersmann (College Station), Hannah Mersmann (College Station), and Katelyn Mersmann (Katy). Dorothy is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Derek, Carter, and Leah Mersmann.
Additionally, Dorothy is survived by her husband Otto Reichardt's four children: Randy Reichardt and his wife Debbie (Cat Spring), Nancy Hartmann and husband Daryl (Cat Spring), Stephen Reichardt and wife Connie (Frydek), and Brian Reichardt and wife Emma (Sealy).
Dorothy was preceded in death by parents Richard and Alice Kabell, husband Clarence Mersmann, sister and brother-in-law Carolyn and George Pavlicek, and husband Otto Reichardt.
Visitation will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Cat Spring on Thursday, December 21, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., immediately followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A brief fellowship will be held at the church following the funeral service. Gravesite service will be held at the Sealy Cemetery on Main Street after the fellowship.
Pallbearers are grandsons Ryan Mersmann, Keith Mersmann, Zac Mersmann, Chase Mersmann, great-grandson Derek Mersmann, and stepson Randy Reichardt.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Lutheran Church in Cat Spring.