Carol Voelkel

Carol Denise Voelkel, 57, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
Carol was born on January 9, 1967, in Houston, and grew up in nearby Stafford. She graduated high school in 1985. She met her husband-to-be, Ronnie, in her early 20s and married him on April 29, 1989. Shortly thereafter, they welcomed their first son, Stephen, into the world. Four years later, they welcomed their second son, Kyle. 
During those years, life was a whirlwind for Carol and her family. Between working a full-time job and fitting in college classes at night, the four of them built a family on a foundation of love and hard work. In that time, her boys remember her for her unconditional support, and her inspiring work ethic that propelled them into adulthood. 
Her husband remembers how she kept everyone moving forward, always towards something greater, and how her beauty radiated, both inside and out. 
Carol worked at Memorial Sisters of Charity and later as an executive at United Health Care, where she worked for the majority of her career before retiring in 2017. She built a career on her sheer personality. Her ability to make people feel seen and supported was unteachable and a true gift from the Lord. Carol’s coworkers and customers knew her as someone who could not only get the job done, but as someone who could do it with a smile.
Beyond work and raising a family, Carol found time to follow her many passions, the most precious being her writing. Starting with poetry, she worked her way up to writing and publishing five novels, including “On the Right Track.” 
This lifelong passion was a fountain of inspiration for her and brought her so much joy in hard times. She was always playing with new ideas and ways of telling stories. 
This eventually led her work with Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church to help compile and publish “Broken and Blessed: Inspirational Words of Wisdom by Father Charles Kram, Jr.”
After her boys grew, Carol and Ronnie looked to new start the next chapter in their story, leading them to eventually acquire both of their family farms in Shiner and Schulenburg. 
These farms and the surrounding communities became the centerpieces of this chapter of their lives. From raising cattle and working tractors, to remodeling her mother’s old farmhouse, to serving the church and the community, Carol thrived in this setting with Ronnie at her side.
Carol fell ill in January 2024 to an undetermined condition that left her unable to maintain her lifestyle, greatly restricting her ability to get around over the next year. With her husband, children, and community, Carol sought refuge and strength in her faith during this difficult and confusing time. 
Her family and friends finally had a chance to be there for her, after so many years of her being there for them. She will be remembered for her strength and courage in this time, and for the love that she radiated every day on this earth. She finally knows peace and has found rest in the arms of her parents, her sister, and Jesus the Lord.
She is survived by her loving husband, Ronnie; sons, Stephen (Lauren) and Kyle; grandchildren, Sterling and Evander; and brothers, Billy and Danny (Bridget).  
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bettie and Lloyd Hemphill; and sister, Susan. 
The family will receive friends from 5 - 7 p.m. Friday, December 27, with prayers of the Holy Rosary following at 7 p.m. in Shiner Funeral Home. 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 28 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, with the Rev. Bryan Heyer as celebrant. 
Interment will follow in the Shiner Catholic Cemetery. 
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.shinerfuneralhome.com. 
Services are under the care and direction of Shiner Funeral Home.