Mary Ellen Jekel

Mary Ellen Jekel was born on December 1, 1932 and died on November 1, 2024 surrounded by her children at the age of 91.

She was born in Bay City, Texas to Emil and Angeline Balusek. After graduating from Blessing High, she met her future husband, Eugene, at a dance and they were married on June 10, 1951.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother and sister-in-law, and brother-in-law.

She is survived by her children – Pat, Mike, and Jeff. Grandchildren – Blake (Tiffany), Robert, Amanda (Daniel), Catherine (David). Great-grandchildren Richie, Rebecca, and Collin. As well as her siblings and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was a homemaker to their three children and also supported Gene through his Masters and Doctoral programs by proofing and typing his papers – long before the days of electric typewriters. After they retired to New Braunfels, she served as secretary and eventual chapter president for Comal County Germania Farm Insurance.

Some of her favorite pastimes were attending WurstFest to see Molly B, Myron Floren, and others; going to the salon to get her hair done; banana splits and Pancho’s chile rellenos; gardening; canning; raising chickens and sharing the eggs with friends, family, and neighbors; even bringing home blue ribbons from the Comal County Fair for chickens, jams & jellies, and other vegetables; and in the last few years playing bingo at Rio Terra.

Mary will be missed and remembered by family and friends.