Elizabeth Marie Thumann

The daughter of Martha Lorke and Joseph A Dierschke, Elizabeth was the youngest of ten children, who grew up in a Catholic family, on a farm in Moulton, Texas. Her family’s childhood home still stands today. Elizabeth valued education, and boasted of walking 3 miles each way to attend the small country school, after completing her farm chores.

As a young adult, Elizabeth moved to Houston to study at Droughton Business School, then married, and had three children. She started a bookkeeping career, and finally retired from Goecke Office Supply in Houston at the age of 72.

Faith, family, and country were very important to Elizabeth. She was an active parishioner at numerous Catholic churches across Houston, and finally at St. Padre Pio in San Antonio. Here she became active as a Lector at daily mass, participated in the Prayer Blanket Ministry and the Pacesetters, the senior group, where she will be remembered as a legendary domino player. Yearly family reunions were a high priority and she attended all 70 Dierschke reunions with one exception- the year her first grandchild was born in Maine. She kept up with the local and national news as she read the newspaper religiously. She helped at polling locations and always cast her vote. Elizabeth stayed active, from planning and organizing group trips, to providing delicious dewberry and meringue pies for bake sales. She loved to travel, visiting Canada, Mexico, Japan, throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and all but one state. She was known for her sharp wit and excellent memory.

As the number of grandchildren grew, so did the visits to “Grandma’s house”, where her young guests would always be welcomed with a warm smile and fresh chocolate chip cookies in the cookie jar.

Elizabeth is survived by her children, Carolyn Oakley of San Antonio and Don (Marinell) Thumann of Winterville, Georgia. Surviving grandchildren are Maria (Michael) Zinsmeister, Christopher Oakley, Pamela Oakley, Monica (Mark) Sellers, John (Liesl) Michna, Mary Margaret (Greg) Brewer, Mary Elizabeth (Patrick) Barnes, Joseph (Allison) Michna, Michael (Jennifer) Michna, Stephen (Mallory) Michna, William (Randi) Michna, Rose Michna, Vickie Gibbs, Pam (Alex) Burke, Debbie (Larry) Calvit, Jim Gibbs, Wynell Harper, Darrell (Shay) Hettrick and Lowell Hettrick.

Elizabeth is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren, Brother-in-law, Larry (Vickie) Thumann, Nephews: Donald (KayElla) Dierschke, Kenneth (Binnie) Dierschke, Norman (Linda) Dierschke, Glenn (Margo) Dierschke, Robert (Cindy) Dierschke and Alan Dierschke and Neices: Barbara Konesheck, Margie Matula, Dorothy Truax (Dick) and Julie Smelser.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her daughter, Betty Jean (Anthony surviving) Michna, parents and siblings: Emma (Edward) Haas, Alma (Henry) Acker, Walter (Molly) Dierschke, Joseph (Gertie) Dierschke, Hertha (Rudolph) Ripper , Leona Dierschke, Bernard (Clara) Dierschke, Evelyne Mican, and Norman (Cora) Dierschke.

VISITATION begins at 5:30 and ROSARY at 6:30

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

CELEBRATION of LIFE MASS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

11:00 A.M.

SHRINE OF ST. PADRE PIO CATHOLIC CHURCH

3843 Bulverde Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78259

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shrine of St Padre Pio Building Fund, PMB 611, 20770 Hwy. 281 N., Ste 108, San Antonio, TX 78258 or. Project Elder Help, %Sisters Care at The Village, 4707 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209