Linda Graef Loep
Linda Ottilie Graef Loep was born on the family farm in Niederwald, Texas, on May 30, 1921, to Otto Graef, Jr. and Elsa Kirchhof. Linda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ed Loep, Jr.; her brothers: Helmuth, Leonard, Alton and Ralph; her sister, Frances Bierstedt; brothers-in-law, Bruno Buehring, Hilmer Bierstedt and Robert Schneider; sister in-law, Iva Graef; a
nd son-in-law, H.J. Schnautz.
She is survived by her sisters, Evelyn Buehring, Marie Schneider and Dorothy Schneider; sister-in-law, Margie Graef; and brother-in-law, Ernie Schneider. She is also survived by her children: Judy Kay Schnautz, James Loep and wife, Marian, and Barbara Ilse and husband, William; grandchildren, Jon Eric Schnautz and wife, Liz, Brandy Schnautz Mann and husband, Bryan, and Jamie Loep Donaldson and husband, Jason; and her great-grandchildren Mason Loep, Gus Mann and Emma Schnautz. Linda enjoyed seeing her three great-grandchildren and taught Mason to play dominoes.
Linda attended New Hope school in Niederwald. She was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Church in Niederwald. On May 30, 1948, she married Edmund “Hans” Loep. They lived on the Loep family farm in Uhland, Texas, where they farmed and operated a dairy. Linda also worked in the Niederwald Co-op store and the Uhland Mercantile store.
After her husband’s death in 1987, Linda continued to live on the farm where she had a large garden each year and was known for her dill pickles. Linda enjoyed her Saturday nights at Club 21, where she would help Cliff at the door and then at midnight, she would go up front and talk to Martha until the dance was over. Other interests included bowling, word search puzzles and visiting with family and friends.
Linda passed away on April 22, 2011, surrounded by her children and grandchildren at Seton Hospital in Austin.
Visitation was held April 25, 2011, in the McCurdy Memorial Chapel. Services were held on April 26, 2011, in the McCurdy Memorial Chapel. Internment followed at Lockhart City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Jon Eric Schnautz, Bruce Schneider, Dwight Schneider, Tommy Bierstedt, Cliff Johnson and Jason Donaldson.
Arrangements under the care and guidance of McCurdy Funeral Home, 105 E. Pecan St., Lockhart, Texas 78644. Obituary and guest book online at www.mccurdyfuneralhome.com.
