Agnes Virginia Catchings Stolte, 90, of Thorndale, went home to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, May 12, 2025.
Services were held Monday, May 19, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale with Pastor Elaine Alexander officiating. Burial followed at Pleasant Retreat Cemetery in Thorndale.
Virginia was born Sept. 12, 1934, and was the oldest of Roy Robert and Agnes (Beran) Catchings’ three daughters. She grew up on the family farm south of Thorndale during the Great Depression, where she was instilled with the values of prioritizing family, having faith in The Lord, and maintaining a great work ethic.
She was a Thorndale High School Class of 1952 graduate. Always full of life, she enjoyed being active in the community, frequently visiting family and friends. She was known for her homemade bread, chowchow, and her artistic talents in ceramics and sewing.
She was a devoted member of Pleasant Retreat Methodist Church. For many years, she made the chili in large cast iron wash pots with her Mother and Uncle Pete for the Pleasant Retreat chili supper.
She married Preston Fritz Stolte on Aug. 22, 1952, with whom she had two children, Theresia and Steven, that were much loved. She considered them her greatest achievement in life.
Virginia had an entrepreneurial spirit. She ran an refinishing and upholstery furniture shop, a ceramic shop, and later worked for American Desk as a quality control inspector. She loved to mention that doing all that walking around the plant would give her extra years in life. She was right!
She is sur vived by her daughter, Theresia Goetz (David) of Thorndale; daughter in-law, Deborah Stolte of Thorndale; her seven grandchildren, Brittany (Dave) Lerbakken of Kearney, NE, Steven Preston Stolte II of San Antonio, Henry Stolte of Thorndale, Andrew Stolte of Oxford, MS, Cara (Vincent) Thomas of Rockdale and Matthew Goetz of Thorndale; her two sisters, Shirley (Charles) McCoy of Thorndale and Ruth (Ray) Barron of Taylor; and her three great-grandchildren, Daniel Goetz Silva of Ventura, CA, and Brooke and Josie Lerbakken of Kearney, NE.
She was preceded in death by the father of her children, Preston Stolte; beloved son, Steven Preston Stolte; and her parents, Roy and Agnes Catchings.
The family sincerely thanks Gelinda Fincher of Thorndale, for all her love, help and support provided to Virginia and family. Many thanks go out to Gentiva Hospice personnel, Annette and Michele, for the much care and love given.
Pallbearers were Matthew Goetz, Cara Goetz Thomas, Vincent Thomas, Brittany Lerbakken, Preston Stolte, Hank Stolte and Andrew Stolte.
Memorials may be sent to Pleasant Retreat Methodist Church, P.O. Box 207, Thorndale, TX 76577.
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