Katherine Toews Laechelin of Seguin, Texas | 1925 - 2019

Katherine Toews Laechelin of Seguin, Texas, born Oct. 2, 1925, in the Village of Alexanderkrohn (now Mirolubovska), Isil Kul, near Omsk in Western Siberia, USSR, to staunch Christian Dutch Mennonite parents, Katherine Bergen Toews and Peter John Toews. Her parents were both born in South Russia, in the Ukraine, where their Mennonite families had been enticed by Catherine the Great, of Russia, to migrate into from Holland, about 150 years earlier. After WWI, the Bolsheviks convinced most of these Dutch Mennonites to forfeit their property and move north to Siberia, for "health reasons." Because of harsh treatment and weather, many of the Mennonites were forced to flee Siberia, including 11 months old, Katherine and family, by any means possible.  Few countries would allow these Mennonite refuges to enter but, after several spent months, in a sordid refugee camp in England, some were accepted into Paraguay, and others including this Toews family were allowed into Canada but only after many months of diligence.

After about 10 years at Niagara on the Lake, Quebec, Katherine's family, including her two younger Canadian siblings were allowed to legally immigrate to central California, to join other family members who had also fled Russia. After a few years work and saving, the Toews family purchased a fig farm near Merced, California, where she graduated from Merced High School, in 1944. As soon as was possible, the Toews family became proud citizens of the USA.

It was the USO in Merced, CA that afforded Katherine the opportunity to meet and marry the love of her life, Rex Laechelin, new graduate of Seguin High School, who was an Air Corpsman, in training, at a nearby airbase. After a few months whirlwind courtship, she traveled by train from California to Montgomery, AL (his next military station) where they wed, on Sep. 7, 1945. After the war, Rex became a clockmaker and jeweler. He and Katherine opened the first Rex's Jewelist store in Bishop, TX.  They later owned jewelry stores in Kingsville, Sinton and Seguin before retiring.

The Laechelin's brought five children into a very loving, Christian home.  Rex departed his beloved home of Seguin, Jan. 17, 2017 and Katherine has joined him, parents; siblings, two sons and grandson, after being freed from her earthly bonds at the Warm Springs Hospital in Luling, on April 13, 2019. The same day that her oldest granddaughter was united in marriage, to start a new life.

Katherine is preceded in death by her husband; parents; sons, Frank C.

III and Ross; brother, Henry Toews; sister, Vera Haynes; grandson, John Alan Arthur, Jr.; among others. She is survived by, daughters, Cheryl

(Oran) Logan, Judy Alvis and Rexanne (Jeff) Thomas; grandchildren, Julie

(Clay) Bingham, Jamey (Dawn) McCurry, Pete (Andrea) McCurry, Katy (Matt) Curtis, Lindsey (Kyle) Robinson, Natalie (Derek) Santos, Eric (Elise) Laechelin and Philip Laechelin; 14 great grandchildren, several step grand and great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Olive Sorrell and Charlene Toews; brother-in-law, Claude Haynes; as well as many others.

Graveside services and interment will be held on Friday, April 19, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Seguin, with Rev. Terry Davis officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 1314 E Cedar St, Seguin, TX 78155.