Marlin, Falls Co., Texas

Emma Lena (Bethke) Quiram

July 21, 1917 – February 25, 2009

Emma Lena Bethke Quiram, age 91, of Marlin, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Wednesday, February 25, 2009.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church. Burial followed in the Hillcrest Cemetery.

Mrs. Quiram was born July 21, 1917 in the Perry Community of Falls County to E.O. and Anna Schrader Bethke. She was a homemaker and a member of Grace Lutheran Church since 1934. She was a lifelong resident of Falls County. Emma was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church of Riesel and confirmed at Trinity with the class of 1932 on Palm Sunday. Her confirmation verse was Psalms 86:11. She married Arnold M. Quiram on May 7, 1936 at Zion Lutheran Church in Otto, together they had two children but after raising her children she opened her heart and to six other children as a day care provider. She would also later be that special Granny to two of her grandchildren, (Dee and Derreck). Later in her life, she served for several years as custodian of her church. This was a special time in her life because she could give back to the church that she loved so much. Emma loved the garden that surrounded her house. The yard was always beautifully maintained which included her mowing the yard when she was 80 years old. She loved to share her plants and flowers with her family and friends. She enjoyed watching the flowers and shrubs that would bloom and all the birds that came to visit her garden. Emma was a collector of butterflies which she proudly displayed through out her house. She also had a vast collection of butterfly pins which she received from family members and friends. Her husband Arnold preceded her in death on February 3, 1980. Also preceding her in death were a granddaughter, Christina Quiram, a sister, Hilda Komar and brothers, Herbert Bethke and Alvin Bethke.

Survivors include her son, Billy Gene Quiram and wife Janet of College Station; daughter, Imogene Drews and husband Kenneth of Marlin; brothers, Edmond Bethke of Marlin and Walter Bethke of Lorena; sisters, Erna Buro of Marlin, Lena Drews of Marlin and Louverna Tucker of Marlin; grandchildren, DeeAndrea Woodard and husband Greg of Hewitt, Derreck Drews and wife Rendy of Lorena and Ron Quiram and wife Heather of Snook; great-grandchildren, Whitney and Caleigh Woodard, Courtney, Allie and Dax Drews, Kelsey and Carly Quiram.

Memorials may be made to: The Historic Allen House, 305 Ward St. Marlin, TX 76661; Providence Hospice, 4830 Lakewood Dr. #2, Waco, TX 76710