Pauline Dornbusch Kelling, 85, of Knippa died in the early morning hours on June 23, 2017, at Methodist Texsan Hospital in San Antonio. She was born on July 31, 1931, in Knippa to Ella (Falkenberg) and Paul Dornbush. A lifelong member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Knippa, she was baptized on Aug. 31, 1931, by the Rev. Gottlieb Langner. She was confirmed in faith by the Rev. Eugene Meier, and at the age of 16 she began taking piano lessons from him. Kelling attended school in Knippa, and graduated from Knippa High School in May of 1948. In her youth, she enjoyed playing volleyball and basketball. She began her career by working as a bookkeeper at the Balzen Garage; she later worked as an operator for the Knippa Telephone Company. She married Ray Elwood Kelling on Oct. 29, 1950, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Knippa. The couple had three children, and spent 46 years together. They began farming in 1954, and worked together in this business until his death. Beginning in 1951, she served God and her church family as the organist for Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She retired from that position after playing for more than 60 years at church services. An active participant in her children’s activities, she served as an adult leader for the Uvalde County 4-H program and a cook for the 4-H County Camp for many years. In 1980, she received the Conservation Homemaker of the Year award presented by the Southwest Conservation District. In 1988, Kelling and her husband were named Uvalde County Junior Livestock Show honorary superintendents in recognition of their efforts with 4-H programs. She was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church Women, serving as treasurer and hosting the annual women’s Christmas party; and of a Lutheran Brotherhood fraternity where she served as an officer. Kelling savored food and loved to prepare it for family and friends; she served snacks for vacation Bible school each year. She will be remembered for the German chocolate cakes and potato salad served at many community events in Knippa, such as the annual Knippa Chicken Supper, which she looked forward to each year. She dedicated months to preparing goods and desserts which were coveted in the Country Store and at the dessert table. For many years she baked event cakes, especially delighting in the task when they were for the grandchildren. She enjoyed watching the San Antonio Spurs win, and kept her mind sharp by watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and playing Words with Friends. She loved to travel, and particularly delighted in cruises taken with family. Kelling was preceded in death by her husband, who died on Feb. 25, 1997; her parents; and one niece, Belinda Dornbusch. She is survived by one daughter, Rebecca “Becky” Landry, and husband, Mark, of Knippa; two sons, Michael Kelling and wife, Donna, of Brenham, and Mark Kelling and wife, Beverly, of Hondo; 12 grandchildren, Sara Wingfield and husband, James, Matthew Kelling, and David Landry and wife, Emily, all of Austin, Stephen Kelling and wife, Brigette, of Bullard, David Box and wife, Jennifer, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Philip Landry and wife, Caitlin, of Katy, Derrick Box and wife, Elle, of Tucson, Arizona, Nathan Landry of Knippa, Andrew Landry and wife, Kendra, of Baytown, and Joshua Kelling, Jacob Kelling and Abigail Kelling, all of Hondo; 11 great-grandchildren, Andrew Wingfield, Olivia Wingfield, Hudson Landry, Lucy Kelling, Ivy Kelling, Ruth Kelling, Corrie Kelling, Austin Box, Libby Box, Madison Landry and Mabel Landry; one brother, Elton Dornbusch; friend and caregiver, Lourdis Esquivel; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A funeral was held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Knippa. The Rev. Nathan Lafrenz officiated. Interment followed at the Knippa Cemetery. Her grandsons served as pallbearers and her granddaughters led the processional. Honorary pallbearers were Dick Geries, Norman Kuebel, Raymond Schwarzlose, Roy Silvas, Noel Troxclair and Billy Word. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, 250 FM 1049 South, Knippa, TX 78870, or a charity of one’s choice.
RUSHING-ESTES-KNOWLES MORTUARY, WWW.REKFUNERALS.COM