Elvie Trudell Zesch Donop of Mason, Texas passed away in her lifelong home on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at the age of 93. She was born November 15, 1925 on the family ranch, near the banks of the Llano river, close to White's Crossing. She was the second of two children. Her parents were Herbert and Emma Gross Zesch.

In 1930 the family bought Elvie's grandparents' home and acreage in the Grossville Community, 5 miles South of Mason. This two story rock home was built by Louis and Christina Ischar Gross about 1889. The community of Grossville is named after Louis Gross. He arrived in Grossville from Germany at 18 years of age and became a stone mason.

Elvie and her brother, R.C., could now walk from their home to the Grossville school one mile south of their house. Verena Schmidt McMillan, mother of Ann Mahnken, was Elvie's best friend. Verena always got them both in trouble. The school teachers often lived with the Zesch family. Elvie became fluent in the German language at an early age. After grade school Elvie drove her black Model A Ford to Mason High School, graduating in 1943. She attended Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Tx for one year. Her father died in 1944 at the age of 57, so Elvie returned to help her mother run the ranch, as her brother was away in the Navy.

Elvie was a 'tomboy' and loved being outside. She helped round up cattle and goats, enjoyed barrel racing, hunting deer and turkey and fishing. She could also play the piano and organ 'by ear'. After her children were grown she took art lessons and enjoyed painting landscapes of ranch scenes as well as playing Bridge and 42. She packed Herbert many lunches, as he was always gone every day doing ranch work.

Herbert Donop and Elvie met at a 42 party in Art. It was a 'set up' by a cousin, Mrs. August Jordan. They married June 7, 1947 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, where Elvie had been baptised and confirmed. They were blessed with four children: Trudy, Larry, Paul and James.

The couple first lived in a small house built by Herbert in Art until their first child was born. They then moved into Elvie's home in Grossville, where they lived their entire lives. Elvie's mother lived with them a number of years before moving to town.

When Elvie married she had to buy a cookbook since she did not know how to cook. She learned well and always had plenty of home cooked meals for her family. She kept the children's clothes washed, organized and sitting on the steps of the stairs for all four kids to take upstairs. She and Herbert made sure all of the family were in church every Sunday! What a Godly heritage!

Elvie will always be remembered as a kind woman with an unwavering devotion to her husband of 71 years, her family, friends and church. She was affectionately called Mom, Granny and Onie.

Elvie was preceded in death by not only her parents but also a son, Paul of Washington, D.C.; brother R.C. Zesch and wife Mildred Heimann Zesch; sister-in-law Florence Donop Bauer and husband Elroy; brother-in-law Raymond Donop and wife Helen Tatsch Donop and sister-in-law Helen Luckenbach Donop.

Among those who will hold Elvie's memory in their hearts are her husband Herbert of Mason; her daughter Trudy Donop Schmidt and husband Tim of Mason; a son Larry and wife Jan of Brady; a son James and wife Tina of Mason, and a brother-in-law Nolan Donop of Lubbock. Others who will lovingly remember 'Granny'/'Onie" are her grandchildren Jeff Schmidt and wife T.J. of Mason; Jim Bill Schmidt and wife Shanda of Mason; Dawn Donop Mays and husband Michael of Georgetown; Lauri Donop Evans and husband Ray of College Station; Carrie Donop Watson and husband Matthew of Lockhart; Jordan Donop of College Station; Jill Donop and John Donop of Lubbock and Cloe Doege of Mason. Her family legacy will continue to live on through her great-grandchildren: Haylie, Lanie and Tyler Schmidt; Ty and Tate Spencer and Leah Schmidt; Mason, Caitlin and Reid Mays; and Jacob, Audrey, Oliver and Lucy Evans. Numerous nieces and nephews will also recall their family gatherings with 'Aunt Elvie'. The family also recognizes the loving care Elvie received from Yolanda Hernandez and Diana Reyes, the Mason Home Health agency and Hospice of San Angelo.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 9 at 2 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church with visitation to follow in the Fellowship Hall. In remembrance of Elvie, individuals may donate to the charity of their choice.