Shirley Ann Koester Voelkel

Shirley Ann (Koester) Voelkel was born in Houston, Texas on Thursday, July 8, 1937 to parents Leonard Sr. and Lorine (Stark) Koester. She passed away in Houston, on Friday, May 27, 2016, at the age of 78.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, and in 2002 by her husband, Benjamin Franklin Voelkel. She is survived by her beloved son, Russell Todd Voelkel; her brother, Leonard W. Koester, Jr.; other loving family members and many dear friends.

Family and friends will gather to share memories at a visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Waltrip Funeral Directors.

At 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, the family will receive friends at a reception to be held at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston, where funeral services will be conducted in the chapel at 2:00 p.m. by Reverend Bill Cole.

Interment will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, also in Houston.

The following is a eulogy that only just begins to touch on this wonderful woman's life:

My Aunt Shirley was one with a big heart, big hair, and a big laugh. Everyone knew when she was around, that laugh could be heard anywhere.

Aunt Shirley was born to Leonard and Lorine Koester. One of two children, she was the older sister to Danny. And she was my wonderful, bold, straight-forward, loving, and tenacious Aunt. My granny used to tell me, "You're as hard-headed as your Aunt Shirley!" Yes she was!

She had a fierce love for her family who was an amazing mom to her only son Rusty whom she adored and loved so much. It gave her much joy to take care of him and Uncle Don, her beloved husband. They were her priority. Even when she was working, she still took care of everything and everyone.

Our phone conversations were short, but often. We would talk about my kids, family, sports, my career, reminisce about all kinds of things, and discuss the weather. Seriously, we always talked about the weather. Anyone that knows her, knows how much she DESPISED the heat. The other day I said, "She went out of this world before she had to endure another summer in the Texas heat." She avoided outdoors like the plaque when it got hot!

Every Thanksgiving I would call to chat, and she always asked what I was "cooking good." She'd give me tips or tell me what she added to her own recipes. Then it would be my turn. I would ask her. Often we would talk about some new recipe I was trying out that evening. I will always treasure these days.

However, Christmas was the most special. Up until recently, we spent one day during Christmas, if not on Christmas, with her, Rusty, and Uncle Don. After Uncle Don passed, we still continued our tradition of our little family Christmas. As years passed, and the kids got older and wanted to stay home, we eventually got her coming out on Christmas Day. Poor lady, we got her good one year. Each year we played a game of White Elephant, with good gifts of course. Except that one. There was always one you did not want to end up with. The Nacho Maker. My mom got this whole thing started a couple of years earlier as she thought this was a great gift and whoever got it would love it! When my brother opened it for the first time, we all laughed as we thought it was a joke! The regifting of the Nacho Maker was born. This gift was always destined to make an appearance each Christmas. Well, this particular year, when it was Aunt Shirley's turn, she eye-balled all the pretty wrapping and bags and finally settled on one. We all watched in anticipation. By the way, she was the slowest unwrapper ever! Once she opened it, she knew she'd been had! She got stuck with that Nacho Maker. And boy was she not happy! She brought something good and now she was going home with a Nacho Maker! The following Christmas, I believe she brought pillows. She said she brought something she needed and no one else would want and she got rid of that "Damn Nacho Maker!" Well, she waited two years and got her revenge. And she had a plan. She packed this Nacho Maker with bricks so it was heavy and unsuspecting. Then, as we went through the numbers, my brother was up. He poked around finally settling on one. He opened his chosen gift, and there it sat, the infamous Nacho Maker, back in the game. You could have heard her laugh from down the road! She got everyone!

One of her biggest loves was sports, especially football. I'd always seem to call on a Sunday when the games were on. We would chat about this player, or that player, but always, ALWAYS somewhere in the conversation she'd say, "Those damn Texans! They can't get it together!" I can hear her voice in my head! You know the one I am talking about, that high-pitched twang. We were both in agreement and glad Arian Foster was cut this year. The conversation was all the same when we discussed the Astros. Her frustration with the team's performance just wound her up. But she kept watching them anyhow.

Maybe her biggest passion was her love for gambling. Oh she loved it! We took many trips to Louisiana, and I am sad I was never able to accompany her on one of her trips to Las Vegas. We would have had fun! On the bus ride down to Louisiana, we would always practice poker and blackjack using some handheld game she would bring. We loved the blackjack tables though. She would always prep me a little on the way down. As soon as that bus pulled in, we would head to the buffet before I handed over all my money to the casino. I was much more anxious to get started than she was. After finding a good table and placing our bets, the real fun began. Each time I won a hand, I would clap and get so excited! Next thing I knew, I would get this whack right across my arm and she say, in that high-pitched tone, "Quit popping them hands!" Every. Single. Time.

It is so difficult to imagine her not being around. The other day, I drove passed my granny and papa's old house. The place looked older and much different than I had remembered. I looked at my phone, and with a little bit of sass, said, "I am calling Aunt Shirley right now to tell her I have been by here." Then I remembered.

We weren't done yet. She had so much more to teach me and so many more stories to tell. I counted on her for updates about family, or gatherings, or deaths and marriages. Several years ago, we went through old pictures at her house. She told me all the details, all the stories, who was connected to who, and so on. We would sit at family reunions, weddings, etc. and I'd ask "Who is that?" Who do they belong to?" And she would explain each and every one and tell a little story about them. I can't imagine life without her and all the conversations left unsaid.

I know if she were in here today, she would be fussing at us all about worrying over her. But I feel honored to be able to share my precious memories of my aunt. She will be sorely missed by so many.

I love you Aunt Shirley. You were taken too early from me and everyone else. I know it was His plan and not ours, but selfishly, I was not ready. I will miss you more than words can express. You will always be in our hearts, and I am thankful for the time I had with you. I am thankful you were spared the pain and suffering of cancer as He was probably looking out for you.

Good-bye my dear Aunt Shirley. I know you're up in Heaven now, dancing with papa and looking down on us with your infectious smile.