Boettcher home features western theme for Christmas
By BURLON PARSONS bparsons@journal-spectator.com

Staff Photo by Burlon Parsons Nena Boettcher hangs ornaments on the western-themed Christmas tree. The tree is filled with mementos which reflect both families ranching heritage.

The East Wharton County Unit of the American Cancer Society will host its biannual Christmas Tour of Homes from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9.

This year two of the three homes are in East Bernard and the third in Lissie.

Featured on the tour are the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition residence of John and Monica Kubena, 18618 CR 270 in East Bernard, Harlan and Nena Boettcher's Texas country ranch home at 17502 Highway 90A in East Bernard, and the ranch-style home of Dan and Maryan Gertson at 1105 CR 271 in Lissie.

Refreshments will be served for tour goers at the Wharton County Historical Museum.

Tickets for the event are $10 each and will be available, with maps, at any of the homes the day of the tour. Tickets are also available at the Wharton County Historical Museum, Wharton Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, B&K Furniture in East Bernard and sold during the Shop the Block event in East Bernard on Thursday, Dec. 6.

Staff Photo by Burlon Parsons Feather Christmas trees and Harlan's grandfather's bronzed cowboy boots decorate the entry to the Boettcher home.

The Harlan and Nena Boettcher home features a Boots and Bandanas Christmas theme this year.

Husband Harlan ranches as well as owns and operates Prairie Waterfowl, a goose, duck and teal outfitting company in the Eagle Lake area.

Nena works from home for an oil and gas related company.

The couple have two sons, Mason and Cade. Time is spent by both parents supporting their sons in their East Bernard school activities, county rodeo and state-wide youth fair projects.

Their Texas-style ranch house was completed in 2001 and all of the lower floor will be open for the tour.

Featured in the Boettcher home is memorabilia from both families and celebrates their ranching heritage. Many of the pieces have been handed down through several generations.

Greeting guests at the entry is an antique porcelain manger scene which was handmade by Nena's grandmother and passed down to her.

Nena was born and reared in Alpine and her decorations include her family's registered branding irons. They hang alongside an old oak table and chairs set which were used for her family's West Texas gatherings.

Under a glass-topped coffee table rest old baby boots and belt buckles alongside new engraved spurs and bejeweled horse halters.

Trophy saddles and garland bedeck the banister along the upper floor.

Harlan, a fourth generation Boettcher, displays his grandfather's cutting horse portrait above the home's mantel. The mantel itself has taken on a holiday flavor with garland and stockings.

Other special pieces include an original saddle tree and saddle and bronzed boots which belonged to Harlan's grandfather.

Other highlights in the home are miniature Christmas trees fashioned from birds' feathers and a large Christmas tree decorated with cowboy boots, ropes, hats and spurs belonging to the boys and other family members.

Now heading up the Boettcher clan is 92-year-old grandmother Boettcher, better known as Mema. All 32 members of the Boettcher family will gather around her table to celebrate during the Christmas season.