Ethel Martha "Eddie" Ella Baenziger Pape "Eddie"

Ethel Pape of Seguin, Texas peacefully passed away on Monday, March 23, 2015 at the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center in Seguin at the age of 94 after a decade long battle with skin cancer. Friends and family are invited to Goetz Funeral Home on Thursday, March 26, 2015 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for a time of visitation. Ethel’s funeral services will follow on Friday, March 27 at the First United Methodist Church, 710 Austin Street Seguin Texas, at 10:00 AM with interment following at San Geronimo Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her loving husband Leon Paul Pape. Services will be officiated by Reverend Bill Nobles.

Ethel was born November 20, 1920 to Otto Henry and Hermina Mary (Lambert) Baenziger at their home on Route 3 in Seguin. She was baptized at the Austin Street Methodist Church and confirmed as a member in 1933 when the church was still a German language church. As a member of the church, which is now the First United Methodist Church, she was a member of the Wesleyan Services Guild and later a member of the Methodist Woman’s Society. While at the First United Methodist Church, Ethel helped in Kindergarten No.1 for 17 years. She also helped with the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Ethel was also responsible for helping with the arrangement of flowers in the sanctuary.

Ethel earned her education at the Elm Creek School. She played volleyball, baseball and basketball at a time when girls normally didn’t participate in sports. After she finished school, she went to work at the family business, Baenziger’s Red and White, for 38 years as a bookkeeper and clerk. She attended classes at Texas Lutheran College and worked part-time while raising her family at Baenziger’s model Market.

On October 4 1946, Ethel married Leon Pape. Together they adopted and raised two sons and created a strong family. Ethel loved to be outdoors, enjoying wildflowers and wildlife. In her youth her auburn hair and freckles proved it. Ethel has always loved sports. She especially loved to watch her three grandchildren. After retiring from work she worked on her family’s history. She created memo books and photo albums full of memories of family and friends. Ethel attended the early service at the First United Methodist Church each Sunday, always sitting in the same pew.

Ethel is preceded in death by her beloved husband Leon Pape whom passed on May 4, 2008. She is survived by her sons Glenn Pape of Seguin, Wayne Pape and his wife Kathy of Seguin, her grandson Shane Pape and his wife Allison, her granddaughter Kimberly Sanchez and her husband Ulises as well as her three grandchildren; Caleb and Georgia Pape and Sienna Sanchez.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church 710 Austin Street, Seguin78155 or to Guadalupe Regional Hospice.

You are invited to sign Ethel’s online guest book at www.GoetzFuneral.com and leave a fond memory for Ethel’s family. .

Funeral assistance provided by Goetz Funeral Home 713 N. Austin Street, Seguin, TX 78155