SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 4

In Memory

of

Gracie Fuhrman

WHEREAS, A full and productive life drew to a close with the passing of Ellen Grace Fuhrman of Muenster on August 19, 2023, at the age of 89; and

WHEREAS, The daughter of Martin J. Friske and Martha Luke Friske, the former Gracie Friske was born in Muenster on October 26, 1933; she grew up with four siblings, Jere, Myrtle, Antonia Mae, and Joan, on a farm west of town owned by her grandfather, August Friske; after her graduation from Sacred Heart School, the family moved to a farm north of Lindsay, and she worked at S. H. Kress, Sears Roebuck & Company, and Tractor Sales & Service; she met her future husband, Alvin Fuhrman, when they both went to town to sell eggs; they married on October 20, 1953, and settled on North Cedar Street in Muenster, where they resided for the next 69 years; devoted parents, they raised two sons, Kent and Gene; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Fuhrman became a part-time evening operator with Muenster Telephone in 1955, and six years later, she and her husband purchased an interest in the company; she became secretary/treasurer and subsequently took on such roles as bookkeeper, director of administration, and member of the board; for many years, she mentored employees as office manager and head of human resources; during over six decades in the industry, she served on the board of the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association, and she benefited the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies as a member of the convention site selection committee from 1997 to 2005; the Texas Telephone Association accorded her its highest honor, the Neville Haynes Award, in 2009; she and her husband enjoyed visiting industry friends across the country on their vacations; the couple also traveled the world together; and

WHEREAS, Even as a young mother helping to build a business, Mrs. Fuhrman was active in her community; she was a room mother for her sons at Sacred Heart School and became the school's first female board president; moreover, she was a Cub Scout den mother; she gave generously of her time and talents to such organizations as the Muenster Garden Club, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and planning committees for the city's Germanfest; and

WHEREAS, Although Gracie Fuhrman is greatly missed, she has left her family and friends with a host of cherished memories, and she will forever hold a special place in their hearts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Ellen Grace Fuhrman and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her husband of 69 years, Alvin M. Fuhrman; to her son, Kent Fuhrman; to her daughter-in-law, Kaylynn Fuhrman; to her grandson, Conner Fuhrman; to her brothers-in-law, Ray Lueb and Bernard Sandmann; and to her other relatives and friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ellen Grace "Gracie" Fuhrman.

Springer

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on October 9, 2023, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate