Verlin Huebel

Verlin Minna Krebs was born in Shelby, Texas on September 24, 1927. She grew up on the family farm near Shelby with her mother, father, and three brothers, and next door to her grandparents Oma and Opa Krebs. She became an expert seamstress on the farm, sewing her own clothes, as well as for friends and neighbors, from feed sacks. She charged 25₵ for a dress, and some bargained for less! Life on the farm was difficult, but even farmers made time to unwind and relax at local dances, often where her father was playing clarinet with the polka band “The Happy Cousins”. It was at such a dance where she first met a young man (actually a teenager) from neighboring Fayette County by the name of Robert Huebel, who would become the love of her life.

They were married on December 18, 1946 in Houston, after Robert returned from a tour in the US Navy, and they would ultimately celebrate 64 years together. They lived the first few years of their marriage with her parents who had recently moved to the city, after which they moved into their first and only home in the newly developed Houston suburb of Spring Branch. They became active members of St Mark’s Lutheran Church, and their three children all attended St Mark’s school.

Verlin was a full time stay at home mom, and a jack of all trades. Whether it was building a tree house in the back yard, refinishing the hardwood floors in the living room, or giving the walls a new coat of paint, she was up to the task. She was still sewing, and many bridesmaids wore her dresses. Their home was always neat as a pin, both inside and outside. Robert kept the lawn manicured, and Verlin was an avid gardener and took care of all the flower beds.

For Verlin, family was #1. She was always there for her kids, whether it was getting them off to school in the morning, or listening to their triumphs or failures when they came home. And when the grandchildren and great grandchildren entered the picture, they were welcome anytime with open arms, for an hour, a day or a week.

They say that patience is a virtue, and if so, Verlin was very virtuous. She was a competitive puzzle solver, winning several cash prizes in national competitions. And she loved to fish: she could sit fishing forever with a cane pole and cork (although not necessarily catching).

Verlin and Robert loved spending their time with family and friends and would often return to Austin and Fayette counties to visit, attend a church feast, a family reunion, or holiday gatherings. After their nest at home was empty, they became members of the Polka Club of America in Houston, and, dressed in their red and white, were regulars at the dances at SPJST Lodge 88 in Houston, or other venues across south Texas where the bands played their favorite polkas and waltzes.

Verlin is survived by her son Robert Ray and wife Dorothy; son Rodney and wife Rachel; daughter Risa and husband Bill Powers; grandchildren Stephanie Granito and husband Scott, Bobby Huebel and wife Adrienne, Clint Huebel, and Bret and Zach Powers; great grandchildren Addison Granito and Kyler Powers; sisters-in-law Mary Jane Oltmann and Connie Krebs, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Verlin was preceded in death by her husband Robert Rudolph Huebel; her parents Helmuth and Martha Kelm Krebs; brothers Glenn and Lee Krebs; brother Roy Krebs and wife Vernice; infant twin grandsons Nicholas and Christopher Huebel; nephews Chuck Krebs, Stanley Kieke and Glenn Ray Krebs; niece Deborah Krebs Moore; father-in-law and mother-in-law Robert F. and Mathilda Huebel; brothers-in-law Clinton Huebel and Curtis Oltmann; and sisters-in-law Dorothy Kieke and Dolores Huebel.

Verlin lived a long, simple, loving life and will be missed by all who were blessed to have known her.

A special thanks to her caregivers at Creekside Retirement Community and Oasis Hospice for the care and love they provided Verlin during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to Oasis Hospice or Creekside Retirement Community, or a charity of your choice.