Edleen Agnes Buxkemper

Our loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Edleen Agnes Pfluger Buxkemper, age 96, of Rowena, Texas passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Edleen was born in Pflugerville, Texas on December 12, 1926. She was the youngest child of Edmund Ernest and Clara (Kurzman) Pfluger. She attended many schools in her early life, including the Rowena Public School.

Edleen graduated from Ballinger High School with many honors with the class of 1944.

It was at Ballinger High School Edleen met her life-long soul mate and love, husband Weldon Otto Buxkemper. They were married in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena on December 28, 1944. Edleen and Weldon were married for 49 wonderful years.

During World War II, Weldon was inducted into the National Guard/Air Force. When he was relocated to Kansas and Illinois Bases for service, Edleen joined him and worked at the PX in Officers Affairs offices as a clerical tech. After the war, Edleen and Weldon moved to Wall where they rented a farm and began their life.

Edleen and Weldon were members of the St. Ambrose Catholic Church and charter members of the St. Catherine Sienna Catholic Daughters Chapter of America. She taught CCD to the children for several years.

In 1958, Weldon and Edleen moved back home to Rowena. Weldon and Edleen owned and farmed the “Old Buxkemper Homeplace:” on the river road between Ballinger and Rowena.

Edleen worked right along Weldon’s side. Mom was a true farmer’s wife and mother, raising three kids, growing a garden, helping Weldon in the fields, and doing errands, and farm chores. Mother was a wonderful cook. Mother was the heart of our family.

She was a loving mother to their three children Barbara, Linda, and Robert.

Edleen and the family were devastated at the tragic passing of Weldon on February 17, 1993, from a fatal heart attack.

First and always, in Edleen’s life, was her love for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was known to her grandchildren as “Mema Patch” and “MeMaw”. Her children and grandchildren spent many happy weekends on the farm. Grandma was always ready to babysit.

Mother always tried to instill in her family the important morals and values of life.

Edleen was always very proud of her duties and accomplishments whether they were involved in community activities, church, or in our country’s service.

Edleen was very involved with all community and church events and organizations in Rowena and Ballinger. She was an active member of the Runnels County Building Committee and one of the first organizers of the Agri-plex Day held in Ballinger each year. She was a member of the Texas Extension Committee of Runnels County for more than 60 years. She was a member of the Rowena Family and Community and Education Club, and F.C.E Council. She helped organize the Extension Club’s first Ethnic Culture Festival German booth held each April in Ballinger. She served on the Federal Grand Jury of the Northern District of Texas.

Edleen and Weldon were devoted members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena. She was a teacher’s aide at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Rowena for four years, teaching the students religion and prayers.

She was an active and serving officer as a member of the Rowena Our Lady of Grace #1734 Catholic Daughters for over 65 years, until her death. She was also a charter member of the St. Ann’s Altar Society and Christian Mothers in her lifetime. For 26 years she served as chairman of the Senior Citizens in Rowena.

Mother loved singing and playing the piano. She sang in the St. Joseph Church Choir with all of her lifelong friends for more than 50 years.

Mother and W.O. were always true Bearcat fans, supporters of the Ballinger High School Athletics, and lifetime members of the Ballinger Booster Club. They loved attending a game of basketball or football, even before and after their daughters, son, and grandchildren had graduated.

In 2008, Edleen left her home in Rowena and found a new home in San Angelo at the Rio Terrace Assisted Living. She made many new friends. She would live at the Rio Terrace and the High Rise for 12 years. Many card and domino games of 42 were played with her friends. She loved planning their talent shows and sing-alongs. She organized and coordinated the Religious Weekly Catholic Mass for the residents of the Rio Terrace and the High Rise for 12 years. Mother was devoted to her faith and church.

We would like to thank all of the employees and friends at the Rio Terrace for making this her second home. You had a special place in her heart.

Mother’s last years were spent in the Ballinger Healthcare and Rehab in Ballinger, where she made new friends and continued her journey.

A thank you to the nurses and staff of the Ballinger Healthcare and Rehab facility for her care. A special thanks for our special and caring doctor, Alan Hardwicke for all the care she received. A special thanks to Marlene Harrell for her loving care and support each day.

Our family wants to thank Father Timothy Hayter, Father Ariel Lagunilla, Deacon David and Brenda Workman and Sharon Engler and her Ladies Ministry for the weekly Rosary and Masses and for the faith you brought to mother and residents at the nursing home.

Preceding her in death was her loving husband, Weldon Buxkemper; her parents, Edmund and Clara (Kurzman) Pfluger; her brother Joe Pfluger; sister Katie Priem; mother and father-in-law, Gerard and Mary Josephine Buxkemper; her granddaughter, Jessica Saucedo Buxkemper; and her granddaughter-in-law, Lyndi Fischer Dieringer. Also, the six Buxkemper sisters and brothers-in-law, and nieces and nephews.

Survivors are her daughters, Barbara Jo Lange and husband Kenneth of Rowena and Linda Ann Dieringer and husband Wilbert of St. Lawrence; and her son, Robert Allen Buxkemper and his wife Kim of Ballinger.

Edleen was blessed with eight precious grandchildren: Lori Lange Looka and husband Roger of Miles, Texas, Bryan Lange and wife Laura Ricci of Abilene, Brandon Dieringer and wife Laura Howard of St. Lawrence, Derek Dieringer (Lyndi Fischer Dieringer) of St Lawrence, Jarrett Buxkemper and wife Jenn Harrigan of Silverthorn, Colorado; and Jamie Buxkemper Martin and husband Dustin of Boerne; and Jayton Buxkemper of Austin.

Great-grandma’s extra special great-grandchildren: Garrett and Kolton Looka, Carter and Berkley, and Cooper Lange, Landry Dieringer and Braxton Dieringer, Kyler, Masyn, and Hadly Dieringer, and Summit and Stadler Martin. Also surviving is her niece Oleen Priem of San Angelo, and Great-nephew Thomas Lynch of Austin. Also, several Buxkemper Nieces and Nephews.

We will miss your warm hugs and sweet smile. Because of your love, our lives were blessed.

A Rosary will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, at 10:00 a.m., with Father Tom Barley celebrating and Father Ariel Lagunilla as the Co-Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Rowena.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: St. Joseph Church in Rowena, St. Joseph Cemetery, St. Joseph Building Fund, St. Joseph Choir, or a favorite charity in Edleen’s honor.