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
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on October 9, 2023, by
    a rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate