Carolyn Toellner

Carolyn Toellner was born in East Bernard to Willie F. and Dorothy L. Hein. She was blessed with a twin sister, Marilyn and a brother she referred to as "Billy."

Carolyn was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church by Pastor

Lester Hedermann. She was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church on June 1, 1961 by Pastor

Arthur Kollmeyer.

Mrs. Toellner graduated from Wallis High School where she was very athletic in basketball, attaining all-district honors as well as other numerous academic and extra-curricular activities. Her other passion was being a cheerleader and it followed her later into her professional career. After high school, she attended Wharton County Junior College and Stephen F. Austin State University.

On June 6, 1971, she joined with Dale E. Toellner in Holy matrimony at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wallis. Thirty-five of their 36 married years were spent in East Bernard. Mrs. Toellner was a devoted and loving wife, sister and friend who enjoyed baking and gardening. She was especially famous for her sugar cookies, apple pies and angel food cakes, giving and mailing them to everybody. Her bright beautiful smile, gleaming eyes, and enthusiastic voice touched so many lives. She lived every single day to its fullest. Mrs. Toellner was also very active in her community.

During her professional career, she was employed as a business secretary at Dresser Industries in Houston and then at East Bernard Independent School District as a counselor's secretary. One of her greatest joys was being a cheerleader and pep squad sponsor where she mentored and mothered "her girls." "They had to wear lipstick."

Some of her favorite and most enjoyable activities included tending to her house, yard and flowers. The neighborhood will dearly miss her singing and laughter while working in her lawn.

Her strong Christian faith was visible through her passion for being an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church choir singing praises to our Lord. She could be heard singing Christian songs in and around her home. Mrs. Toellner was so sad that she could not participate in this year's Christmas cantata; however, she joined the choir of angels on Christmas Day.

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2002, Mrs. Toellner began treatment at the Baylor College of Medicine Breast Care Center. At the Breast Care Center, she was lovingly cared for by many doctors and nurses, especially Dr. Mamta Kalidas, Dr. Yee Lu Tham, and nurses Susan Weidler, Toni Sinclair, and Michelle Young. She gave cancer a run for its money and blessed many by her courageous fight. Her philosophy was "taking it one day at a time."

She is preceded in death by her father-in-law, Sidney Toellner. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband and care-taker, Dale Toellner of East Bernard; her twin sister, Marilyn Standlee and husband Stanley of Sealy; her parents, Willie "Bill" Hein and Dorothy Hein of Wallis; her brother, Willie Fred Hein Jr. and wife, Gladys, of Sealy; mother-in-law, Margaret Toellner of East Bernard; sister in-law, Sharon Vyvial and husband Larry of Pleak; nieces Melissa Thompson and Manda Vyvial; and nephews, Keith Standlee and Brent Vyvial.

Carolyn Toellner departed this life on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2007, Christmas Day, and joined the Church Triumphant to be raised on the Day of the Resurrection of all flesh.

A celebration of joy of Mrs. Toellner's life was held Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sealy with interment at Sealy Cemetery.