Hildegarde Amalia Schumann

Hildegarde Amalie Schumann, 104, passed away Sunday, October 16, 2011, in Bellville, Texas. She was born March 12, 1907, in Bellville, Texas, the second youngest of ten children of Freidrich and Ella Witte Schumann. Hildegarde grew up on the farm in a large family with many activities, including her father performing and leading music at Concordia Hall. Many faith traditions were celebrated in her Lutheran upbringing. After her father died, she was sent off to Houston to work to help support the family. She began a career in the railroad industry when women rarely worked outside the home. She started at a bank, then a friend recommended she go over to Union Station to work for Missouri Pacific Railroad, then Burlington Rock Island, and finally, Houston Belt and Terminal. She bought a house in Houston and maintained two homes for many years. She kept cattle on the homestead as a continuing farming operation until her death. This was recognized by the Texas Department of Agriculture for being maintained by the same family for over one hundred years. Her family farm became the location for Bellville High School, and the fine arts building was named after her parents. She kept family traditions going, cooking and baking familiar holiday foods. She loved to keep up with current events and could discuss many topics in precise detail. Her attitude was more cheerful than others much younger. She loved to giggle and find the unnoticed humor in many situations. Her faith was very important to her. She was a life-long member of St. John Lutheran Church, and was active in the Mary Circle. Hildegarde is survived by NEPHEWS AND NIECES: Leroy and Pat Vornkahl, of Peters Community, Henry Lee and Barbara Vornkahl, of Houston, Melvin and Edy Vornkahl, of Montgomery and Harold Graf, of Wharton; COUSINS: Herbert Borel and Laura Schumann, of Bellville; 21 GREAT NIECES AND NEPHEWS, 19 GREAT GREAT NIECES AND NEPHEWS, and 12 GREAT GREAT GREAT NIECES AND NEPHEWS. She was preceded in death by her parents, Friedrich (Fritz) and Ella Schumann, sisters, Wilma Schumann, Ella Schmidt, Hedwig (Hattie) Graf, Edna Goebel, Anna Schumann, Alma Seyer, Elsie Lang, Emma Wehring, and brothers, Fritz Schumann and Carl Schumann.