Alice Alma Kotzebue

Alice was born July 31, 1921 in Shiner, Texas to Christian Charles & Annie (Boehm) Cook. She is predeceased by her husband, Wilson Louis Kotzebue, her parents as well as these brothers and sisters--Edwin Cook, Martha Barta, Elenora Holub, Annie Weikel, Charles “Boy” Cook, Ida Maeker, Lillian Bailey—and their spouses.

Funeral Services are under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home in Shiner, Texas and will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, May 4, 2015 at Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Shiner, Texas with Reverend Elaine Gomulka officiating. Interment will follow at the Shiner City Cemetery in Shiner, Texas. There will be a Visitation at 10:00 am Monday Moring at the Church.

Alice is survived by her sister, Mary Blume of LaGrange/Bastrop; brother, Oscar Cook of LaGrange; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as her son and daughter-in-law, David and Debbie Kotzebue of Katy, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren…

• Bryce Kotzebue of Houston

• Kyle & Kristin Kotzebue; Keaton, Karter & Kambry of Katy

• Brad & Amanda Kotzebue & Clayton of Katy

Alice attended and graduated from Moulton High School and played on the basketball and softball teams. She received her teaching certificate and taught grammar school in the Moulton area.

Alice married Wilson Louis Kotzebue from Columbus, Texas on March 8, 1945 in Augusta, Georgia while he was on leave from a three-year tour in the U.S. Army during WWII. They made their home in Houston, Texas and raised their son, David Wilson, born on December 30, 1952, there. Alice and Wilson had another son, Keith Alan, born on June 6, 1960 and passed on June 8 two days later.

Alice enjoyed many activities including cooking; she would always joke that she was a naturally-born “cook.” She was very involved in David’s little league baseball and Women’s Auxiliary in which she served as president for numerous years and volunteered/spent countless hours organizing activities to support the league as well as working in the concession stand. She enjoyed keeping the scorebooks for David’s baseball games and they were extremely meticulous and accurate .

Other hobbies Alice enjoyed were dancing with Wilson especially in early years, playing dominoes and bridge, quilting with sisters and friends, working crossword puzzles, and watching her favorite sports teams. Some of her favorite teams were of course the AGGIES and most recently the San Antonio Spurs. She also was fond of the Rice Owls because two of her nephews, Butch and Rick Blume, played there early in their careers.

David graduated from Texas A&M University on August 15, 1975 and married Deborah Rieger on August 23, 1975. Alice and Wilson resided in Houston until retirement in 1977 at which time they moved to Shiner. Here Alice became a member of the United Evangelical Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church and joined the Ladies’ Aid Society and enjoyed volunteering at the Lutheran home calling out bingo, organizing holiday parties, and helping in any way she could. She also became a member of the Sons of Hermann, Lodge No. 20.

Alice was committed to God and faith first and foremost and to her loving family and friends. In earlier years in Houston a lot of David’s friends called her “Momma Kotzebue.” Once retired in Shiner, she always looked forward to visits from family and friends; and in recent years she especially loved visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would sit and play with them, and they could do no wrong!

Alice would always do whatever she could to help her family, extended family and friends. She never missed a family reunion nor turned down an invitation to play bridge or dominoes with friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend. She had a genuine, infectious laugh and was loved by many dear and special relatives and friends.

Alice’s family sincerely thanks the many devoted caregivers and friends of Personalized Care—especially Denise Henke--who so lovingly and diligently cared for her and helped her enjoy life to the fullest for as long as possible. In addition, thank you to all who sent her cards, called, or visited her through the years. She kept numerous mementos she received and often looked back at them so they indeed brought her great comfort.

The family request memorials to: Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church / P.O. Box 26 / Shiner, Texas 77984.

To join the family in celebrating Alice’s life and to offer condolences, please go to: www.buffingtonfuneralhomeshiner.com