Lorene Maeckel Brown

Lorene Eleanor Maeckel was born in the late-night hours of January 5, 1934, on the family farm in Bleiblerville, Texas. She was the fourth and youngest child born to Ed. O. and Mathilde Kudlacek Maeckel. She was baptized and confirmed in the Unity of the Brethren faith where she remained a friend of the church throughout her life. Lorene attended primary school at the Victoria School, a one-room schoolhouse. She told stories of her and her brother Leland walking to school and him checking his varmint traps on the way. In the summertime, Lorene picked cotton and worked in the corn field learning the value of hard work at a young age. She graduated from Bellville High School in 1951 and shortly thereafter moved to Hempstead, Texas to work and live with her older sister Edith.

In 1958 Lorene relocated to Bryan-College Station where she called home for 60 years. There she furthered her education by attending McKenzie-Baldwin Business College, completed her 40 years of service to Texas A&M University, and successfully raised her only child as a single parent. At Texas A&M, Lorene worked for the Fiscal Office, the Laundry, and the Office of Public Information. It was at the Office of Public Information where she made lifelong friends and witnessed firsthand the challenging days following the Bonfire collapse as well as the pomp and circumstance of the Bush Library dedication.

In mid-2018 after the death of her sister, Lorene relocated to Hurst, Texas where she lived independently until her health declined in August of this year. Lorene was a fabulous mother and a doting grandmother to her granddaughter and two grandsons. During the last 18 months of her life, she was blessed to see her granddaughter and older grandson marry, and her younger grandson graduate from Texas A&M.

Lorene was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Edith Maeckel Betts, and her brothers Marvin Maeckel and Leland Maeckel.

Lorene Maeckel Brown is survived by her daughter Beverly and son-in-law Jerry Ward, granddaughter Lindsay and her husband James McCoy, grandson Gerald Austin and his wife Kayla Ward, and grandson Nate Ward. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Shirley Maeckel and nephew Bill and wife Paula Betts.

A visitation for Lorene will be held Tuesday, November 28, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Chapel - College Station, 2901 Texas Avenue South, College Station, Texas 77845. A prayer service will occur Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 7:00 PM, 2901 Texas Avenue South, College Station, Texas 77845. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Industry Brethren Church, 2758 Main St, Industry, TX 78944. A burial will occur Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Industry Brethren Church Cemetery, 2758 Main St, Industry, TX 78944.

Lorene will be laid to rest immediately following the service in the church cemetery near her parents, her sister, and her younger brother.

The family suggests memorials to the Industry Brethren Church, P. O. Box 73, Industry, TX 78944 or the charity of choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialfuneralchapel.com for the Brown family.