Joy Hoelscher

Joy Hoelscher, 90, passed away on May 5, 2020, in her home in San Angelo, Texas. She was born Ella Joy Bolen on July 31, 1929 in Ranger, Texas to Ottilia and Leonard Bolen. Joy graduated from San Angelo High School and attended McMurry College for a short while before meeting her future husband, Fred J. Hoelscher. They married on January 12, 1948, and moved to Glasscock County, where they farmed and made their home as one of the earliest settlers in the St. Lawrence Community. She was a very active member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, where she devoted many years to teaching religion classes and directing the religious education program. She instilled a deep and lasting faith among her children. She was also very involved in their activities, leading many 4-H projects as well as CYO (Catholic Youth organization) activities. Upon their retirement in 1985, she and Fred moved back to San Angelo, where they joined the Holy Angels Catholic Church. She enjoyed being a part of a number of ministries associated with Holy Angels and used her sewing talents to create many items still being used in the Church. She devoted many hours writing the script for the Sedar Meal, which has been celebrated annually at Holy Angels for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, in 1997; her parents Ottilia and Leonard Bolen; parents-in-law, William and Josephine Hoelscher; sister, Mary Louise Lincicum; and brother, Jerry Bolen. She was also predeceased by her beloved grandchildren, John (Jack) O’Brien IV, and Brooke Stevens as well as in-laws I.L. Hoelscher; Betty Bolen; Lawrence and Alma Hoelscher; Olga Kessler; Herbert and Florine Hoelscher; Arthur and Mary Hoelscher; Elnora and Robert Hayden; Elizabeth and L.V. Braden; Leona Seidel Fox Hailey and husbands, Evarist Seidel, Wesley Fox, and Raymond Hailey; and Edwin and Mary Hoelscher. She is survived by her seven children, Linda (Denis) Niehues and David (Doris) Hoelscher of San Angelo; Karen (Rodney) Ripple of Wall; Barbara (Dennis) Fuchs, Harold (Ann) Hoelscher, and Carl (Kara) Hoelscher, all of St. Lawrence; and Janet (Howard) Book of Victoria, Texas. In addition, she leaves behind 21 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren. Her surviving siblings include Josephine Hoelscher, Andrew Bolen, and Kathryn Jean (Frank) Reavis, as well as sisters-in-law Dorothy Bolen and Fred’s sister, Ernestine Lange. The Wake Service will be at the Holy Angels Catholic Church on Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 6:00 PM, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 11, 2020 at 10:00 AM, also at the Church. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family would like to thank her devoted and loving caregivers, Doris Hoelscher, Tammy Speciale, Sylvia Eastman, and Pam Torres; along with Dr. Viki Forlano and Kindred Hospice. They were her angels as she lost her battle with COPD. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meals for the Elderly or a charity of your choice. Consistent with the actions taken by many churches, congregations, and places of worship across the state, employees, volunteers, and attendees MUST wear cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth). When seating please skip a row, members in the same family may sit together, and then every separate family should sit 6 feet apart.