Obituary published on Legacy.com by Carnes Funeral Home - Texas City on Dec. 12, 2022.
Rosalie Tocquigny Oelkers, age 101 years and 8 months, passed from this life on November 30, 2022 at her residence at The Forum, The Woodlands, Texas. Rosalie was born in Lampacitos, Coahuila, Mexico on March 21, 1921 to Alexander Tocquigny and Balbina Schweyer Tocquigny. Rosalie was the fourth of six children and the only daughter. Anyone who met Rosalie knew she was capable of handling five brothers or whatever came her way.
Rosalie moved with her family to Carrizo Springs, Texas in about 1926. She graduated from Carrizo Springs High School and attended Austin College in Sherman, Texas. She returned to Carrizo Springs and married Julius Charles (Buddy) Oelkers on September 6, 1941. After Buddy graduated from Texas A&M University and completed his military service during World War II, Rosalie and Buddy established a home in Carrizo Springs, where they lived until Buddy's death in 1991.
Rosalie was known as an extremely talented and creative person. She was especially gifted at sewing, baking and candy making. She could make beautiful garments or her much beloved bags. She had a quick wit and could come back with a clever comment on almost any topic. Spanish was her first language and she remained bi-lingual all of her life.
In a column in the Athens Daily Review, journalist Jerry S. Phillips, then 74 years old, wrote an article titled "You May Not Know Rosalie, But You Know Someone Like Her." Phillips had grown up in Carrizo Springs, and had warm memories of Rosalie's generosity. He wrote her a letter in 2012, telling her "Rosalie, when I grow up, I want to be just like you." He stated that Rosalie's thoughtfulness and generosity had a major impact on his life.
Rosalie was always an independent woman, and lived without assistance until she was 99. The family would like to thank all of the people who assisted Rosalie in the last months of her life.
Rosalie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Buddy and her five Tocquigny brothers, Mike, Alex, George, Bobby and Joe.
Rosalie is survived by her two children, daughter, Betty Ann Oelkers Cormier and husband Darvis of Flower Mound, Texas and son, Chuck Oelkers and wife Dotty of Conroe, Texas. Rosalie had three grandsons, Todd Cormier of Fort Worth, Chase Oelkers and wife Nataline of Sugar Land and Casey Oelkers and wife Kim of Katy, Texas. Rosalie is survived by four great grandchildren, Ava Oelkers, Elle Oelkers, Jack Oelkers and Kate Oelkers. Rosalie is also survived by 13 nieces and nephews.
Rosalie and her husband Buddy both elected to donate their bodies to The University of Texas Medical School. A future celebration of Rosalie's life will be held, but at her request, no service.
Those wishing to honor her memory may make a donation to Dimmit Regional Hospital at https://ptserver.fasthealth.com/web_drh2_tx/forms/?formID=2830&sub=Donate+Online or to a
charity of your choice.