Mildred Griesse

Mildred Griesse August 2, 1925 - May 1, 2015 Mildred Louise Griesse entered the Father's house and the glory of the Lord Jesus on Friday May 1, 2015. Services will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, with burial to follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. The eldest of four sisters, Mildred Louise Griesse was born on August 2, 1925, to Will H. Becker and Minnie Becker, nee Wehmeyer, near Richards, Texas in Grimes County. Her father was a dairyman and her mother was a seamstress. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Bryan, Texas. She worked as a teenager at the local Woolworth store, and then for a professional photographer in College Station, Texas. It was during this time that, through her sister, Ruby, she met her future husband, Theodore Griesse, who was the college roommate of Ruby's fianc, Edwin Brown. She was married to Theodore Griesse on August 11, 1948, who that same year was ordained a Lutheran Minister with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. As a devoted and exemplary pastor's wife, her life took her to many different places to live. The couple moved to Fonda, Iowa. From there they moved to Lufkin, Texas; William Penn, Texas outside of Brenham, Texas; Mart, Texas; Austin, Texas; and finally to Waco, Texas in 1966.During the Austin and Waco years she worked in the medical field as an assistant to Dr. C. E. Ferrin, MD, and later with Dr. L. D. Collins, MD, among others. Mildred was a devoted wife and mother. She was never in a bad mood. She brought happiness and laughter continually to all who were around her. In addition she had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She was also an accomplished cook. She was preceded in death by her parents; and by the love of her life, Theodore Griesse in March 1986. After marrying again to wonderful family friend, Earl Ballman of Mart, Texas, in 1991, Mr. Ballman also predeceased her in December of 1991. Sister Ruby Brown predeceased Mildred in June of 2003. She is survived by her sister Jeneva Luedtke of Dallas; sister Dorothy Herwald and spouse, Art, of Bryan, Texas; son Timothy Griesse and spouse, Nanci, of Waco; daughter, Phyllis Bahr and spouse, Donald, of Bakersfield, California; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and numerous loved nieces and nephews. Special thanks are given to Pastor James Price of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Waco, and to all who serve within Lutheran Sunset Ministries and Hospice Sunset in Clifton, Texas. Donations and memorials may be directed to St. Mark Lutheran Church of Waco and to Lutheran Sunset Ministries of Clifton, Texas. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey