Dona Lou Orndorff Erben

She is predeceased by her loving and devoted husband of 56 years, Harvey Erben, and four sisters, Almira "Penny" Conway, Gertrude Walker, Pauline Lusson, and Jacqueline Merrick. She is survived by 4 children, Candyce Erben Wagner, Sandra Erben Marquez, Randall Harvey Erben and Andrew Clay Erben; 6 grandchildren, Wendy Wagner Yarbrough, Jill Wagner Novosad, Russell Alden Marquez, Webster Granger Marquez, Christian Bremer Erben, and Emma Bennett Erben; four great grandchildren, Garrett Wagner Yarbrough, Wyatt Perkins Yarbrough, Lillian Mae Yarbrough, and Coker William Novosad;

daughters-in-law, Amy Heydenreich Erben and Ann Quirk Erben; grandsons-in-law, Brian Garrett Yarbrough and Christopher William Novosad; 3 brothers-in-law, Jesse James Erben, Raymond Charles Erben, Ralph "Pete" Erben; 1 sister-in-law, Nellrose Erben Livingston; extended family members Nancy, David, Paige, and Clark Shellhorse and Mollie Quirk; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends.

She graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1943. She spent the early part of her adult life as a devoted mother and supportive wife, and was very active in civic, charitable, and political affairs. In 1979, The San Antonio Express-News named her "Woman of the Year". She volunteered and served as a docent at the McNay Art Museum and was a longtime member of the Friends of the McNay. She was also a member of the Bexar County Republican Womens' Club. In 1987, she was commissioned by Governor Bill Clements as a "Yellow Rose of Texas". She then became involved in politics on a professional basis and compiled an impressive record. She was campaign manager for the successful campaigns of Lyle Larson for City Council in 1991, Bill Siebert for State Representative in 1992, and Lyle Larson for County Commissioner in 1996, and was active in countless other political campaigns. The pinnacle of her career was as Bexar County campaign manager for George W. Bush for Governor in 1994, where she engineered a campaign that allowed now-President Bush to become the first Republican gubernatorial candidate to win Bexar County since Reconstruction. She was later asked to serve as a Commissioner by Gov. Bush on the Governor's Commission for Women. In recognition of her successes, the Republican Party of Bexar County inducted her into its Hall of Fame in 2001. She also received commendations from then-Governor Bush, the Texas House of Representatives, and the San Antonio City Council.

She was a longstanding member of Trinity Baptist Church, the Discimus Study Club, Lamplighters, and numerous other civic and charitable groups. Her love for San Antonio and its history was celebrated every year at her annual River Parade party, which was attended by more than 200 guests for over 25 years. In Doodle's 77 years of life, she missed only one Battle of Flowers Parade. She has passed on her love of Texas, politics, friends, family, and parties to all of those she left behind. The family would like to thank some very special caregivers: Daisy, Vilma, Dora, Nancy Hall, Ann, Shirley and especially, Margaret. Also special thanks to the entire staff at Hospice Home Care, especially Sherry, Susan, Darren and Craig.