Delta Lee Wernecke

Delta, born April 1, 1924, was the first child of Paul and Tonie Zwernemann. She spent her childhood on the farm in Burleson County, helping to gather eggs from the hens and vegetables from the garden. The Depression years taught her frugalness and feistiness – traits that carried her through- out her life. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Deanville.

A good student, Delta lived with an aunt so that she could attend high school in Dime Box. She loved to tell the story of how a handsome young man whistled at her and proceeded to follow her around downtown Dime Box during a Saturday shopping trip. That man – Harry Henry Wernecke – was the love of her life and became her husband on May 30, 1942. He would soon become a Private in the US Army and leave her to fight on the European battlefields of WWII.

Upon Harry’s return from the war, the couple decided to leave the country life behind and move to the city. They settled in the Spring Branch area of Houston, which at that time was sparsely settled. They scrimped and saved – Delta worked in a bakery for a time – until they were able to build a small house and move in with their first daughter, Harriet, in 1954. They had enough land for a large garden each spring and fall – and a big backyard for Harriet, and later her sisters, Elaine and Donna, to play in. They became charter members of Concordia Lutheran Church and Delta taught Sunday School there for a number of years.

Delta was content being a mother and homemaker. She enjoyed her time in the garden, where she felt close to God, and cooking, canning and sewing. She never learned to drive a car. Even after her beloved Harry’s death in 1991, she tended a small garden and many flowers for years. “Digging in the dirt is good therapy” she would say. She continued to make her berry and fig jellies – that all the grandkids loved on biscuits – and took pride in being able to “do for herself”. She stoically battled breast cancer in 2006. When her health declined in 2013, forcing her to leave her home of 60 years, she found the adjustment difficult. But the staff and caregivers of Manor Care rallied around her, becoming very dear to her. We wish to thank Robert, Tammy, Kim, Courtney, and Tashi especially – as well as Dr. Leni Fisher – for the love and care shown to Mom.

Delta was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry Wernecke; her brother, Eldie Zwernemann; and her son-in-law, James Hamblin. She is survived by her sister – Hilda Mae Wiederhold; three daughters – Harriet Hamblin, Elaine Chandler and husband Joe, and Donna Stoever and husband John; four grandchildren – Denise, Victoria, Jonathan, and McCall – and two great-grandchildren – Abigail and Luke. Delta was ‘second mother’ to Carolyn Varner-Dosenbach, the daughter of one of her dear friends, and was blessed by the love and care bestowed upon her by all of Carolyn’s family. Many other family and friends mourn her passing as well. Although we will greatly miss her, we are thankful that she did not suffer long before being called Home. She is at peace.

The family will receive friends Thursday, March 26, 2015 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM in The Stateroom at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024. Funeral Services will be Friday, March 27, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Concordia Lutheran Church, 4115 Blalock Road, Houston, Texas 77080. Rev.R. A. Etzel will officiate. Pallbearers are Jonathan Baubie, Joe Chandler, Joel January, McCall Saathoff, John Stoever and Ken Wiederhold. Interment will follow in Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079.