Mary Carol (Strauss) Kloesel
Mary Carol (Strauss) Kloesel passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022.
Mary Carol was born to Fred and Julianne (Hrncir) Strauss on Aug. 9, 1940 at Renger Hospital in Hallettsville.
Mary Carol was married to the “love of her life”, Arlyn Kloesel on May 29, 1960 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville.
Her two terrific sons, Kevin and Scott were the “lights of her life.”
Mary Carol started her education at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Schulenburg, moving to Sacred Heart Elementary School in Hallettsville when she was in the 3rd grade. She graduated in 1958 as Valedictorian from Sacred Heart High School, Hallettsville.
Mary Carol was very active in school activities, including being named Class Favorite, member of the school band and was a Majorette. She continued her education at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. During her time in San Antonio, Mary Carol was selected as St. Mary’s University Prom Queen and Sweetheart of Sigma Beta Chi Fraternity. She was a Miss Fiesta finalist. She was also the treasurer of Beta Alpha Sorority at Our Lady of the Lake University.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wm. Arlyn Kloesel.
Mary Carol is survived by two sons, Kevin Arlyn Kloesel and wife, Laura Geiger of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Scott Alan Kloesel of Houston; two grandchildren, Ryan Scott Kloesel of Shawnee, Okla. and Megan Nicole Kloesel of Los Angeles, Calif., and one step-grandchild, Kelsey Lynn Krupicka of Tehachapi, Calif.; brother, Steve Strauss and his wife, Kati, of Fulshear; nephews, Jim Strauss and Noah Strauss; niece, Laura Williams and her husband, Jason and family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and three brothers, Fred, Dennis and Neil.
Mary Carol was employed by the State of Texas Banking Dept. as Legal Counsel Secretary, by the Arthur P. Bagby Law Office as a legal secretary, worked at the Internal Revenue Service in Accounting and Personnel, and for over thirty years in the Austin Independent School District, both in a school setting and as Human Resources Secretary for the District where she retired in 2006 with numerous honors and exemplary service awards.
Mary Carol was active in her community, including PTA Chairman and Cub Scout Den Mother at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Austin. She was also PTA Membership Chairman and Booster Club Secretary at LBJ High School in Austin. She was a long time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Austin until 2011. She then became a member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Dripping Springs. Mary Carol had great devotion to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to the Blessed Virgin Mary and made weekly visits to the Adoration Chapel both in Austin and in Dripping Springs.
Mary Carol was also a member of the Capitol Area Pharmaceutical Assn. Auxiliary holding the offices of Membership Chairman, Vice-President, President and Historian. She was also a member of the Texas Pharmacy Assn. Auxiliary where she was a member of the Board of Directors and Historian. Mary Carol was a member of the Texas Retired Teachers Assn. and the Austin Retired Teachers Assn. Mary Carol also served as a Volunteer for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Austin.
Mary Carol was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister. She brought joy, strength and love to her family and friends. She enjoyed reading, her flower garden and her piano. Mary Carol loved high school football and especially cherished the many games she went to with her husband, sons and grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by her family, relatives and friends.
Visitation, Rosary, Funeral Service and Burial will be held on Monday morning Sept. 19 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 400 East 5th Street in Hallettsville.
Family visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m.; Rosary at 10 a.m.; Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m.