Mary Katherine Decherd Lemburg Dolhof

Mary Katherine Decherd Lemburg Dolhof Mary Katherine Decherd Lemburg Dolhof was born January 11, 1913 at Austin, Texas, in the Guadalupe Street home of her parents, William Thomson Decherd and Kate Battle Jenkins Decherd. She was the middle child, having an older sister, Emma Virginia Decherd and a younger brother William Jenkins Decherd. She died at home early Wednesday morning, March 17, 2004 surrounded by members of her family. She attended the Austin Public Schools from Baker Elementary through Austin High School. In 1933 Mary Katherine graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in History. She was a second-generation graduate of the University where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and was a charter member of the Stephen F. Austin Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. After graduation, she became a teacher in Edinburg, Texas where she met Harold Leslie Lemburg. They married in April, 1935 and settled in Crystal City, Texas. The family moved to Austin in 1942. When her children were young, she was an active member of the PTA. When the last of her four children started to school, Mary Katherine worked for the Texas Legislature and Dr. Eugene Schock, Professor of Engineering, at the University of Texas. She then worked at the YWCA for many years where she became Assistant Director. Mary Katherine grew up hearing about the exploits of her family on the Texas frontier when Texas was a part of Mexico. Eight of her ancestors were living in Texas at the time of the Republic. After she retired, her love of family history led her into the study of genealogy. Her husband shared her enthusiasm, and they traveled over the United States doing research, discovering bits of family history and meeting family members. She was able to trace her ancestry back to early 17th century Jamestowne, Virginia. She was an active member of the Austin Genealogical Society, William Barret Travis Chapter of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Thankful Hubbard Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Oliver Hazard Perry Chapter Number 8 of The National Society United States Daughters of 1812, Embassy Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century, Captain John Clay Company of the Jamestowne Society, and Social Order of the Beauceant, Austin Assembly #125. A distant grandfather of Mary Katherine’s was an early day local Methodist preacher in South Carolina. Mary Katherine was a sixth generation Methodist. She was a life long member of The University Methodist Church where her grandmother was a charter member. After Harold Lemburg died in 1980, Mary Katherine met Robert Byers Dolhof and they married in 1986. She became a part of Bob’s loving family. They were married for seventeen years. He passed away in November 2003. Mary Katherine was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents, her sister and brother, and her son-in-law, Sidney Perez. She is survived by her daughter Mary Virginia Gerstenberg and husband Robert, son James Lemburg, daughter Ann Perez, and son William Lemburg and daughters-in-law Mary Pat Hughes and Shirley Lemburg. She is survived by several grandchildren, Katherine Green Frazier, Eric Gerstenberg, Caroline Richaman, Leslie Kleinebecker, Allen Perez, and Debbie Lemburg. Great grandchildren are, Leslie Green, Walter Green, Gavin Kleinebecker, Cade Richman, Bennett Richman, Megan Mahoney, and Sidney Kleinebecker. She is also survived by stepdaughters Dorothy Dahm and husband Tony, and their children Nick and Mandy, Margo Hanne and husband Mark and son Joel, and Judy Dolhof. Numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews survive, along with many devoted friends. Mary Katherine was born full of love and shared it freely with one and all. She will be sorely missed. Pallbearers will be: Eric Gerstenberg, Allen Perez, Leslie Green, Walter Green, Bill Kleinebecker, and Mike Richman. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 20th at 1:00 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home Chapel, with graveside services following at Austin Memorial Park. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705 (512) 452-8811. You may view memorials online at www.wcfish.com