Genelle Avis Kalmbach

Genelle Avis Doering Kalmbach was born January 16, 1932, to Otto H Doering and Viola Andres Doering of Walburg, Texas. They preceded her in death as did her husband Winfred August Kalmbach, son, Richard Wayne Kalmbach, and several in-laws.

Genelle passed on August 26, 2025. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Margaret Kalmbac; Genelle's son's widow, Kathy Kalmbach, his two children and son-in-law, and 4 grandsons; by her daughter, Karen Denise Kalmbach Choate; her son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons and granddaughter. Genelle is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Genelle was baptized, confirmed and married, at Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg, Texas. She was in the first confirmation class that could be studied in German or English. After Zion's pastor made fun of Genelle in a sermon, she transferred her membership to St. Peter, but for years she donated money to both churches.

Genelle was an only child, but she considered "the Kieschnick girls" as her sisters, many of whom have predeceased her. And Fred and Luicia Doering's two daughters Alys and Teeny also shared many good times with Genelle. Alys also predeceased Genelle.

Genelle attended Zion Lutheran School for many years. Then Georgetown High School and Southwestern University. There, she earned her degree, Phi Beta Kappa honors, and joined Delta Zeta Sorority.

Genelle and W. A. Kalmbach married June 1. The Southwestern graduates moved to Bellaire, Texas for W.A.'s post college employment. Genelle dutifully moved with Winfred to the Houston area (Bellaire and Briargrove Park), the one area Genelle had said she never wanted to live! There they reared Richard and Karen and moved back to the Walburg area after Karen graduated from high school.
While in Houston, Genelle became a teacher at Pilgrim Lutheran School after son/student Richard told his teacher that his mother could teach and fill a teaching vacancy. Genelle enjoyed teaching Fifth grade, even when her daughter was in her class, but after that, Genelle stopped teaching.

Genelle and WA loved tending to their yard, which had beautiful daylilies, elephant ears, gerber daisies, and other plants. After they moved to Walburg in 1976, their focus switched to banking and raising cattle.
At Walburg State Bank, they survived a bank robbery, during which WA gave a quick loan approval over the phone, WA's being told to say, "Yes". After learning that the customer had been approved during the robbery, that customer asked if he really was approved. He was....

After retiring, Genelle and WA focused on raising cattle. After WA died, Genelle took many trips, some with John and/or Mel Kieschnick, as her tour guides. She and several others went to Walburg, Germany to see the town that her grandfather chose to name Walburg, Texas after. That town was also small - so small that there were no souvenirs to purchase, just great memories.

Later Genelle started cruising, mostly on Princess Cruise line. Genelle loved to travel. Genelle lived with her granddaughter and her family for her final years in Rogers, Texas.

Sadly, Genelle's memory failed her often, but she ALWAYS kept her faith in Jesus. While in the hospital in May 2025 for emergency surgery, Genelle had more pain "than she'd ever felt before." She took "the Christian Walk of faith" on May 5 and 6, but God wasn't yet ready to call her home, calling her home August 26 instead.

Visitation will be at Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on September 4.

Service will be in Ramsey's chapel at 11 a.m. on September 5 with Reverend John Kieschnick officiating.

A reception will follow.

Genelle did not want stories told during her funeral, but her guest book has room for comments both by the sign in area and in the "Special Notes" section (near the back of the registry).

Honorary pallbearers are Genelle's nephews (Curtis Buchhorn; Darrell Zieschang; Bill, Mark, and John Kalmbach; Brian and Brad Richter; Ray Braun; Elvin Hall; Tom Sladecek; and Mike Rinehart) and Jeff Moore, Philip Brasted, and Bill Kemble.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Lutheran Social Services, the Lutheran Hour, or Drive a Senior of Round Rock.