Mary 'Beth Lohse

Mary (Mary ‘Beth) Harris Lohse, 78, of San Angelo, died Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at home with her family.

Graveside service will be at 2:00pm, Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Fairmount Cemetery under the direction of Harper Funeral Home, with the Rev. Leigh Lloyd officiating.

Mary ‘Beth was born March 19, 1947, in Waco to Leroy and Madelaine Harris. They moved to San Angelo when she was 3 years old.

She graduated from Angelo State University in 1969 and was married to Arlen Lohse on July 2, 1972. She was the consummate teacher with a heart big enough to embrace every child she met, and particularly her students, whom she called her “short people”. Her love for humanity was a joy to behold and she was the first to extend a hand to anyone new in the room.

She worried about the underprivileged and the homebound elderly, whom she served more than 40 years by delivering Meals for the Elderly. She also encouraged those who believed they had achieved all they could and were settling for just getting by. She encouraged young adults with families to continue their educations “It’s not too late,” she would say. “Sure it will be difficult, but you can do it!”

She began her 36-year teaching career in the Head Start program, which required her to earn early childhood teacher certification through Texas A&M Extension courses. She taught at Fort Concho, Sam Houston, Rio Vista and McGill elementary schools, as well as at St. Luke Methodist Church preschool.

Mary ‘Beth is survived by her husband, Arlen Lohse; a son, John, and his wife April of Austin; two grandchildren, Luca Lohse of San Angelo and Liam Lohse of Austin, and her very dearest friend, Teresa Gilbert of San Angelo.

Special thanks go to Shannon Hospital doctors, nurses and staff and to Gentiva Hospice Services for exemplary care.