Katheryn Christine Schulle, 103, of Caldwell, passed away peacefully and went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 16, 2026.
A service celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Caldwell, with Rev. Dr. Richard Brunk, officiating.
Visitation will take place at 10:00 a.m. with the service to follow at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will follow at Elizabeth Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Katheryn was born on May 30, 1922, in Mercedes, to Martin and Christina Ermel.
She was the youngest of seven children, and the only one born in the United States.
She grew up in Onalaska, and graduated from Livingston High School.
She later moved to Houston for work, where she reunited with Walter Schulle, whom she had met years earlier in confirmation class. The two married on January 4, 1947, in Houston and made their home in Harlingen, where they shared 62 years of marriage.
Known to most as “Katie,” she devoted her life to caring for others and her family.
She was a talented seamstress, sewing for both her family and others in the community. She never wasted a scrap of fabric, turning leftovers into quilts that she lovingly gave to her children and grandchildren, eventually running out of space to store them all.
Katie was also well known for her generous spirit in the kitchen and garden. She canned vegetables, pickles, beans, and tomatoes in such an abundance that she had enough to share with several households, storing jars beneath beds and in closets throughout their house.
She loved playing cards and always welcomed her nieces for long, laughterfilled games. As a thoughtful listener, Katie had a way of offering quiet words of wisdom, whether you needed it or not.
She was a devoted member of Grace Lutheran Church in Harlingen for 60 years, where she participated in the women’s groups and especially enjoyed preparing for the annual garage sale, a time marked by fellowship and plenty of snacks.
Katheryn was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Christina Ermel; her husband, Walter Schulle; her brothers, Carl, John, Phillip and Conrad Ermel; her sisters, Annie Ermel and Emma Dahl; and her son-in-law, Tommy Speck.
She is survived by her son, Paul Schulle and wife, Clair, of Caldwell; her daughter, Karen (Schulle) Speck of Caldwell; her grandchildren, Darlene Gonzalez and husband, Adrian, of San Antonio, Jimmy Lewis of Harlingen, Clint Schulle and wife, Mary Ellen, of Boerne, Jason Speck and wife, Melinda, of Youngsville, Louisiana, and Jamie Balcar and husband, Bradly, of Deanville; her greatgrandchildren, Nathan Balcar and wife, Kassidy, of Deanville, Travis Balcar of Deanville, Madeline Speck of Houston, Andrew Speck (USAF), and Erin Schulle of Boerne; her great-great-grandchildren, Jackson and Emmett Balcar of Deanville; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers honoring Katheryn will be Clint Schulle, Bradly Balcar, Nathan Balcar, Travis Balcar, Jerry Sens and David Sens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 W. 26th St., Bryan, Texas 77803 or Elizabeth Lutheran Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 675, Caldwell, Texas 77836.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Hospice Brazos Valley of Bryan for their compassionate care and dedication.
Katheryn will be deeply missed by all who knew her and will forever be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and the treasured memories shared with those she loved.
Express condolences at Phillipsandluckey.com.