Gracie Fuhrman

Ellen Grace “Gracie” Fuhrman, 89, of Muenster, TX, passed into the comfort and peace of our Lord’s heavenly kingdom on Saturday, August 19, 2023, with her family at her side.

A Rosary Service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Muenster, beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, with visitation to follow in the Community Center.  A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph Keating officiating.  Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Muenster.  Arrangements are under the care of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.

Gracie was born in Muenster, TX on October 26, 1933; one of five children of Martin J and Martha Luke Friske.  She spent her childhood on a farm west of Muenster owned by her grandfather August Friske.  Her brother, Jere Friske, and three sisters Myrtle, Antonia Mae, and Joan would grow up learning and performing the chores of farm life…tending to animals, gardening, and raising crops.   Gracie attended Sacred Heart School and graduated in 1951.  In the fall of 1951, Gracie moved with her family to a farm north of Lindsay, TX.  After this move, Gracie took a job with S. H. Kress in Gainesville, TX.  Over the next few years, Gracie worked at Sears Roebuck & Co in Gainesville, TX, became the bookkeeper for Tractor Sales & Service in Muenster, TX and started working for Muenster Telephone as an evening part-time operator in 1955.

Gracie first met Alvin when they both came to town to sell eggs to a local merchant. An extended courtship began as Gracie completed school and waited for Alvin to return from his service with the U. S. Armed Forces.  They were married on October 20, 1953 at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Lindsay, TX.  Directly after the wedding, they made their home in Muenster, TX at 624 North Cedar Street and for the next 69 years, they would reside in that home.  Children, Kent and Gene, grew up here, brought school friends here, and now daughter-in-law Kaylynn and grandson Conner have special memories of the home Gracie has always shared with Alvin.

In 1961, Gracie and Alvin purchased interest in the Muenster Telephone Company.  She had been serving as a full-time telephone operator but with their purchase, she moved into her role as the Secretary/Treasurer for the company.  Over the years, Gracie balanced motherhood and work duties serving as room mother for the boys at Sacred Heart School, Cub Scout Den Mother, and was the first female Sacred Heart School Board President - all the while filling ever-changing roles at the telephone company from Bookkeeper to Director of Administration and serving as an active voice on the Board of Directors.  For years Gracie oversaw employees as an Office Manager and Human Resource Department head where she guided and taught new hires the ways of the telephony business.  She molded a work force to reflect the strong work ethic and love of community that she was so proud to hold in her heart.

During her 60-plus years in the telephone industry, Gracie served on the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association Board of Directors and was an active member of the OPASTCO Site Selection Committee for convention planning from 1997 to 2005.  She was recognized for her contributions to the Texas Telephone Association and the telephone industry with the Association’s highest honor, The Neville Haynes Award in 2009.  Her friendships made within the telephone industry nationwide were always special to her.  She and Alvin enjoyed visiting with these friends while on their vacations.

A sense of community and service to others gave Gracie the opportunity to serve with local groups like the Muenster Garden Club, the Catholic Daughters of America, as a past Grand Regent, and assist with planning committees for Muenster’s Germanfest beside Alvin.

As her family grew, Gracie planned weekend outings to the lake, organized vacations, and traveled the world with Alvin.  She has a small list of states she never made it to, but has enjoyed the sites and cultures of China, Russia, Australia, multiple European countries, Canada, Cuba and cruised the Mediterranean.  How many memories can a person make?  Gracie was blessed with a lifetime of experiences and memories and those who knew her are blessed to have shared those with her.

Gracie leaves behind her husband of 69 years, Alvin M Fuhrman; son Kent Fuhrman; daughter-in-law and grandson Kaylynn and Conner Fuhrman; and brother-in-law’s Ray Lueb and Bernard Sandmann.  Those preceding her in death include son, Gene H Fuhrman; her parents, Martin J and Martha Luke Friske; sisters, Antonia Mae Lueb, Joan Sandmann, Myrtle and spouse Glen Cathey; and brother and spouse John “Jere” and Mary Friske.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gene Fuhrman Technology Fund at Sacred Heart School.

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