Annie Marjorie Teske

Annie Marjorie Pohl Teske March 6, 1923 - October 9, 2009 Annie Marjorie Pohl Teske of Waco passed away Friday, October 9, 2009. Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 17, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Jim Menke officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, October 16, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Annie Marjorie Pohl Teske was born to Clyde L. Pohl and Mabel Susan Book Pohl on March 6, 1923, in El Dorado, Arkansas. She passed away very peacefully on October 9, 2009, with her loving family members present and as the Lord's Prayer was being prayed. She moved to Monroe, Louisiana, with her parents and brother when she was six years old where she attended schools, graduating in 1940. She also attended McLennan Community College. At the age of six she and her brother were brought to Trinity Lutheran Church in Monroe by Mrs. Edna Arnold, who was later to become her Godmother. Marjorie always said from the time she started going to the church, she has had "Peace" all of her life, for it was there she came to know that if she "Trusted in the Lord in all things" and if "God be for her who could be against her?" At the age of twelve, she was baptized and later confirmed by The Rev. Vernon Grosse, who also officiated at her marriage. She was an active member of the Walther League. On July 3, 1941, she attended a military dance at the local college in Monroe. They she met her late husband, Raymond, and it was love at first sight. There were married on January 15, 1942. When he returned from having served his country during World War II, they began their home in Monroe and in 1950 moved their family to Waco where they became members of St. Mark Lutheran Church. In 1953 she was working in Cox's Department Store on Austin Ave. when the great tornado struck Waco. Their children attended St. Mark Lutheran School and she taught Kindergarten at St. Mark for several years. In 1966 they transferred to Trinity Lutheran Church where their oldest son served as Principal for three years. She held various offices in the church, was a lifetime member of the LWML, and in 1976, she was nominated for Lutheran Woman of the Year. She also served as a member of the Braille Volunteers at her church. For over 30 years she was an active member of the Girl Scouts of America, and in 1976 she was awarded the "Thanks Badge," the highest award a civilian may receive. At St. Mark Lutheran Church she also served as a Den Mother for the Boy Scouts. She was a former member of the Altrusa Club of Waco. She served as a volunteer for ten years as a recorder for The Texas Prevention of Blindness for Children. In 1988 she was honored as "Altrusa Woman of the Year." For twenty years she served as Director of the Waco Girls Club, and at retirement the United Way named her as Director of the Year. "These were some of the happiest days of my life" she would say, for she believed that children are our future. Both she and her husband were Lifetime Members of the Baylor Alumni Association, and in 2009 she was selected as a Baylor Alumna by Choice. She loved Baylor and enjoyed the football games. She was in attendance at the 1974 Game of the Century when Baylor defeated the University of Texas. "Serve the Lord with Gladness and be happy where the Lord has placed you and 'If God be for you, who can be against you.' She knew that God had given her Eternal Life in Heaven through our Lord Jesus who died for all our sins and forgives us if we ask for forgiveness.' The Holy Spirit dwelled in her heart." Marjorie wrote these words and asked that they be published so that she could share her faith. Marjorie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years, Raymond H. C. Teske, Sr., who passed away in 2005; her son-in-law, William Joe Strakos; her niece, Ann Pohl; and her childhood friend for over 70 years, Marie Arnold Bonnett deceased 2007. She is survived by her four children: Dr. Raymond Teske, Jr. and wife, Jane Teske, of Huntsville, Texas; The Rev. Paul Teske and wife, Rivers, of Westport, CT; Nancy Henry and husband, Bud Henry, of Coppers Canyon, Texas; and Susan Strakos of Waco. Grandchildren: Raymond Teske III and wife, Cindy, of San Antonio and great-granddaughter, Riley; John Paul Teske of Manor; Marcus Teske and wife, Jamie, and great-granddaughter, Kaylee, of Spring; Tara Teske and her fianc饬 Jacob Lappa, and great-grandson, Tyler, of Dallas; Paul Teske II of Westport, CT; Jordan Teske of Prague; Mike Henry and wife, Julie, and children, Chris and Nicole of Irving, TX; Ray Henry and wife, Noreen, and children, Zack and Nick of Grapevine, TX; brother, Edward Burke Pohl and wife, Joy, of Estes Park, CO; nephew, John Pohl and wife, Susan, and children of Seattle; and niece, Lyn Pohl and husband, James McGarry, of Ithaca, NY. Also surviving are her dear friends, Lois Toups, Diane and Jim Hughes. Marjorie requested that memorials be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church "Ministry Expansion Fund" http://www.trinitylutheranwaco.org/ or Lutheran Braille Workers, Inc. http://www.lbwinc.org/. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com.