Renate Lieselotte (Macherauch) Meiners

Renate Lieselotte (Macherauch)Meiners, 88, died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, at her home in La Grange. She was born on Oct. 1, 1926, at Bad Berka, Germany, the only daughter of Ernst and  Anna Marie Schmidt Macherauch. Renate grew up during Hitler’s rise to power and faced the horrors of World War II as a German civilian. Shortly after the end of the war in Europe, she met Harvey Meiners, an American  soldier from Nechanitz. Despite the non-fraternization rule, they fell in love and married. Renate and Harvey with their young daughter, Evelyn Elisabeth, arrived in the U.S. in  1948. They lived and worked in Houston where they participated in several German cultural organizations until returning to Fayette County in later years. They joined the Waldeck Lutheran Church and together volunteered for many organizations including serving as docents at Monument Hill State Park, hosting a German language radio show on KVLG/ KBUK; teaching conversational German; participating in the Round Top VFW; and supporting the local Republican Party. Renate enjoyed translating old German documents for families and churches; volunteering at Henkel Square in Round  Top and singing with the Mount Elise Singers of Winedale. She also chaired the Fayette County Resolution Board. Renate realized her ambition of sharing her life story when her memoir, Same Moon, Same Stars, was published earlier this year. Renate is survived by her son-in-law, John Glade of La Grange; sister-in-law, Vadie  Oeser of Nechanitz; and brother- in-law, Delvin Meiners of Houston; nieces and nephews: Roger (Kathryn) Oeser of Giddings; Lois (John) Henson of  Dublin; Bettie (Brian) Lyerly of Spring; Ronnie Oeser of La Grange; and Curtis (Aleta). In addition, Renate leaves relatives  in Germany and Canada. She was preceded in death by her parents; half-brothers and half-sisters; husband, Harvey; and daughter, Evelyn; and nephew, Gary Dean Oeser. Visitation was held on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home. Family received friends from 4 to 5 p.m. A prayer service was held at 5 p.m. Funeral Services were held at Waldeck Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014. Burial followed at Waldeck Cemetery.  In lieu of regular remembrances, memorial gifts may be made to Waldeck Lutheran Church, 6915 Waldeck Church Lane, Ledbetter, Texas; First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 368, La Grange, Texas 78945; Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter, 240 Svoboda Lane, La Grange, Texas 78945; Hospice Brazos Valley, 1048 N. Jefferson,  La Grange, Texas 78945 or a charity of one’s choice. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange was in charge of arrangements