Billie Couch

BILLIE MARIE GAUSE COUCH, 89, of Kerrville, Texas entered into rest on January 14, 2006 at a residence in San Antonio. Mrs. Couch was born on October 16, 1916 in Harlingen, Texas to Robert Walter Gause and Carra Anne Poe. Billie Marie was the only one of ten children who was born with a medical doctor present. Siblings in the order of their birth were: Marshall Harvey, Allen, Alma Beulah, Clyde, Leroy Francis, Eugene Patrick, Hallie, Norine Cara, Billie Marie and Jacqueline Marjorie. She was preceded in death by all nine siblings. Billies mother died in 1921 and her father died in 1953. Billie Marie met Edward Donald Couch in 1935 through mutual friends. She was dating someone else when she met Donald on a double date. Donald was the only one with a car.Edward Donald Couch and Billie Marie Gause were married in Harlingen, Texas on February 23, 1936. Don was the second youngest of nine children. They had two children, Robert Edward Couch and Donnie Loretta Couch. Don and Billie, and children, moved from Harlingen to Kerrville, Texas on July 15, 1943. Billie belonged to the Home Defense Guard during World War II. Billie had completed her formal education in Sabinal, Texas. After moving to Kerrville, Texas in 1943, she continued her education by taking business courses with private teachers. These courses included shorthand, typing and bookkeeping. During the time her children were in school Billie Couch worked in the following positions: Sales clerk in the ladies department of Schreiners Department Store, Telephone operator at the Bluebonnet Hotel, Clerk at Schreiners Bank, and a Case worker at the Kerrville State Hospital. For several years during this time Billie was a volunteer at Sid Peterson Hospital. During their lives in Kerrville, Billie and her family were active in the Notre Dame Catholic Church. In 1950, Billie served as President of the Notre Dame Altar Society, and as a Eucharistic Minister for shutins. On January 22, 1948 Don and Billie signed papers to purchase 3.23 acres just off Harper Road in Kerrville, Texas where Town Creek flowed through the property. Later in 1948 they started the construction of a home on the property. They did a majority of the construction work themselves. During the early part of 1949, Don and Billie moved into their home on Harper Road. They continued to live there until February, 1994 when they moved to the River Front Mobile Home Park on Junction Highway between Kerrville and Ingram. In 1959 Billie started the Kerrville Greeting Service. Through the greeting service she represented numerous businesses in Kerrville as she met and welcomed all newcomers to the Kerrville area. She was active with the Kerrville Greeting Service until 1984. Don Couch died on August 11, 1996. Billie Died on January 14, 2006. This was Don Couchs 91st birthday. Billie Marie Couch is survived by her son, Bob E. Couch, Ph.D. and his wife, Judy and by her daughter, Donnie Loretta Couch grandchildren greatgrandchildren, Bambi Louise Couch Dossey husband, Kenneth Dossey, and their children, Hayley, Hannah, Hope, and Hayden Dottie Marie Couch Vandiver husband, Michael Vandiver, and their children, Faith, Ryan, and Micah Keith Gerard Couch Donald Christopher Couch Laura Loretta Ohlenburger Qualls husband, John Qualls, Sr. Erica Lynn Qualls Jung husband, Ben Jung John Travis Qualls Jr. wife, Felicia Camille Marie Ohlenburger Tucker husband, Michael Tucker, and their children, Matthew, Corey, Leah, and Andrew Steven Charles Ohlenburger wife, Donna, and their children, Charles, Carolynn, and Zackary Eric Norman Ohlenburger wife, LeAnne and Jaime Chantal Flick. Billies sixteen greatgrandchildren range in age from three weeks to twentythree years.A Memorial Mass will be held 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Kerrville with Father Mike Peinemann officiating. A Rosary will be held 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at Kerrville Funeral Home with visitation to follow. Viewing will be 8:00 a.m.8:30 p.m., Tuesday.Honorary pallbearers will be Jaime Flick, Laura Qualls, Camille Tucker, Donna Ohlenburger, LeAnne Ohlenburger, Bambi Dossey, Leah Tucker, Dottie Vandiver, Erica Jung, Haley Dossey, and Carolynn Ohlenburger.

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