Irma Fesl Mullins

She was born on February 5, 1935 in Germany, the daughter of Karl Fesl and Maria Scheubeck Fesl. As it did for many other children, World War II brought privation and trauma, especially in its final years. Whatever inner scars the war may have inflicted, though, they were obscured by Irma’s friendly, warm disposition that led those who knew her to cherish her. In 1959, Irma married Billy Don Mullins, a GI from Texas who was serving in Germany. In 1965, the family moved to the Lone Star State.

Irma adored the time she spent with friends and was considered the neighborhood ambassador who always took pride in its appearance, not to mention that of her immaculate home. For someone who didn’t particularly like to cook, she did it surpassingly well. Her meatloaf, German potato salad, and German cucumber salad could induce something close to a religious experience.

Her family calls her the best mother in the world and recognize how much she sacrificed for them. “Omi,” as she was called by her grandchildren, loved all of them and especially treasured the time she spent with Amanda (her “Schnickelfritz,” or little rascal) as a daytime caregiver during the preschool years. She would push Amanda around the neighborhood in a Sportwagen on daily walks while Irma’s miniature schnauzer, Strick AKA Bimi, trailed dutifully behind.

She reserved a special place in her heart for those beloved schnauzers – Bimi was succeeded in office by Blitz and then Witt – who repaid her devotion in kind, mixed in with a healthy dose of annoyance. Ultimately, she was ecumenical in her love for dogs, adopting strays including Diva and Solo.

Sometimes Irma, who was utterly unpretentious, would mock herself as a dull person, but nothing could have been farther from the truth. While her formal education was limited, she made up for it with a lively, broad, and varied curiosity about the world. She read a wide range of periodicals and stayed well informed on the issues of the day. Irma also greatly enjoyed collecting porcelain figurines, which she proudly displayed in a curio cabinet that was NEVER EVER EVER to be opened by anyone else, except for her Schnickelfritz, who took shameless advantage with Omi loving every minute of it.

Irma is survived by her husband, Billy Don Mullins; children Jürgen and wife Lydia, Timothy Mullins, Carolyn Trosper, and Bobby Mullins and wife Kimball; and grandchildren Brandon, Amanda, Eamon, Clare, Christian, and Andreas.

Those who wish to make a remembrance for Irma are asked to donate to https://straydog.org, a no-kill dog shelter and sanctuary. This was a kind, generous woman who loved to laugh and smile, and all of us privileged to be part of her circle will miss her terribly.