Magdaline Louise (Markert) Schiller - Age 89 - Born November 17, 1928 in Thorndale to Theodore and Emma (Lehman) Markert. A family of eight children, Magdaline was in the middle. Magdaline was baptized, confirmed and married in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale, all performed by The Reverend Fred Steltzer.
She married Ray Henry Schiller, on June 9, 1946. Ray and Magdaline were able to celebrate 70 years of marriage on June 9, 2016 at the home of their daughter and son-in-law. The Lord took Ray on November 26, 2016. Magdaline followed him on Saturday, October 13, 2018. She was under the care of Silverado Hospice Services. Both Magdaline and Ray passed away in their own home, in their own bed, as they both had wished. Renee laid by her mom’s side until she took her final breaths on Saturday at around 1p.m. while they listened to spiritual songs. The last song played before Magdaline passed was “How Great Thou Art”, one of her favorites. Her passing was extremely peaceful. Special thanks to RedBud Home Health Care Services, Visiting Physicians, and Silverado Hospice for taking care of Magdaline for the past two years.
Ray and Magdaline were members of Redeemer Lutheran Church since 1956. Previously members of Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg where they made many life-long friends.
Magdaline and Ray met while she was working at a “hamburger joint” in Taylor and Ray was working for TP&L. Their first date was to a dance, where Ray stated that he was going to marry her someday. After they were married they managed the hamburger “joint” together; began farming in the Walburg area; began traveling through-out Texas while Ray worked for the bridge construction industry; ended up settling in Austin where Magdaline worked for Lamme’s Candy on Congress Avenue until their daughter was born. After Renee began driving, Magdaline pursued her true passion and calling, alterations. She worked for Melba’s Boutique on Mesa Drive for many years. She always shared stories of the ladies she sewed for including: Lady Bird Johnson and her daughters, Governor Ann Richards, Amanda Blake “Miss Kitty”, amongst many other “regular” customers who followed her to her own business Magdalines Alterations, which she ran out of her home until at least 2013, when Dementia starting taking its toll.
Magdaline was known for staying up all hours of the night either cooking, sewing or decorating for anniversary celebrations; birthday parties; or just huge family dinners. Her noodles and banana pudding were incredible (she earned the name “Nana” with her Great Grand Daughters). Ray and her traveled a little but their biggest joy was in their garden. He would plow it and weed it, she would pick it; and then can and freeze. They both enjoyed going out to the deer lease in Harper, just to sit out and relax. When they shot the deer, they both would clean it and process it into chili meat or just steak meat. Again, Magdaline was an AWESOME cook.
Magdaline is survived by one Daughter, Renee Schiller – Clark; Son-in-Law James Jeffrey Clark; Granddaughter/Son – Tiffany (Clark) and Jason Bowden; Great-granddaughters – Alexandra Grace; Emma Nichole; and Charlotte Jane; Sister Alice Faye (Markert) Pinson; Sister-in-Laws Dorothy Markert, Dee Markert, and Nora (Schiller) Schroeder. Numerous Nieces and Nephews, Great Nieces and Nephews, and Great-Great Nieces and Nephews. An acknowledgement of thanks to those family members (especially some of her cousins) that continued to visit her even when she did not know who they were!
Preceding her in death were her parents, six of her seven siblings, several nephews and great-nephews, her very first Great-granddaughter Avery Elizabeth (2013), and her “honey” Ray.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19, 2018 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, Pflugerville, and refreshments will be served during the visitation time. Funeral services will be held in the Memorial Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home on Interstate 35 Pflugerville on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. under the direction of The Reverend David Schroeder. Internment will immediately follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery. Flowers are welcomed; memorial donations may be made in Magdalines memory to Redeemer Lutheran Church.
We are sure that Ray has been waiting patiently for his “Fraulein” the past 23 months so they can continue to “Waltz Across Texas” and throughout Eternity.
