Clarence Frederick Stelzer's Obituary
STELZER, CLARENCE FREDERICK, age 94, was called home to heaven on September 27, 2012 with loving family and friends supporting him through his peaceful departure. Clarence was born in Engle, TX on December 2, 1917 to Sidonie and Rev. Fred Stelzer the 2nd oldest of eight children, and was raised in his father’s parsonage at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Thorndale, TX. After moving to Dallas as a young man, he met his future bride, Gertrude Ann Young at Zion Lutheran Church’s Walther League. Their marriage took place at Zion Lutheran Church in Dallas on August 22, 1939. Their marriage was blessed with five well loved children. Clarence worked in Dallas at Austin Bridge Company for 40 years where he retired as supervisor of the Cost Accounting Department in 1982. Following retirement, he and Gertrude traveled in their motor home to at least 25 different locations over a 12-year period to do volunteer work on school and church building projects for Laborers for Christ. He was preceded in death by Gertrude his wife of almost 60 years, his parents, one brother, and one sister. He is survived by sisters Eudoris, Elinor, and Lucille; brothers Marvin and Fritz. He is also survived by his children, Fred Stelzer and wife Rita, Carol and husband David pullen, Linda and husband Frank Guttman, Mary Lakes, and John Stlezer and wife Sarah, plus his 13 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. We will each remember him for different things, but all of us will remember his never-ending willingness to lend a hand whenever and wherever needed, for his devotion to his family, to his church … and to his favorite ball teams! He was an incredible team player, and a very dear man! A gathering will be held at Restland Funeral Home Sunday night, September 30 between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. to honor Clarence. Funeral services for celebration of Clarence’s life and example will be held October 1, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Rick Stelzer, Brad Pullen, John Guttman, Jesse Lakes, Cole Lakes, Joseph Stelzer, Jason Stelzer and Josh Stelzer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zion Endowment Fund – School, Zion Lutheran Church, 6121 Lovers Lane, Dallas, Texas 75214.
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