SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 4
	In Memory
	of
	Gracie Fuhrman
	WHEREAS, A full and productive life drew to a close with
	the passing of Ellen Grace Fuhrman of Muenster on
	August 19, 2023, at the age of 89; and
	WHEREAS, The daughter of Martin J. Friske and Martha Luke
	Friske, the former Gracie Friske was born in Muenster on
	October 26, 1933; she grew up with four siblings, Jere, Myrtle,
	Antonia Mae, and Joan, on a farm west of town owned by her
	grandfather, August Friske; after her graduation from Sacred
	Heart School, the family moved to a farm north of Lindsay, and
	she worked at S. H. Kress, Sears Roebuck & Company, and Tractor
	Sales & Service; she met her future husband, Alvin Fuhrman,
	when they both went to town to sell eggs; they married on
	October 20, 1953, and settled on North Cedar Street in
	Muenster, where they resided for the next 69 years; devoted
	parents, they raised two sons, Kent and Gene; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Fuhrman became a part-time evening
	operator with Muenster Telephone in 1955, and six years later,
	she and her husband purchased an interest in the company; she
	became secretary/treasurer and subsequently took on such roles
	as bookkeeper, director of administration, and member of the
	board; for many years, she mentored employees as office
	manager and head of human resources; during over six decades in
	the industry, she served on the board of the Independent
	Telephone Pioneer Association, and she benefited the
	Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small
	Telecommunications Companies as a member of the convention
	site selection committee from 1997 to 2005; the Texas
	Telephone Association accorded her its highest honor, the
	Neville Haynes Award, in 2009; she and her husband enjoyed
	visiting industry friends across the country on their
	vacations; the couple also traveled the world together; and
	WHEREAS, Even as a young mother helping to build a
	business, Mrs. Fuhrman was active in her community; she was a
	room mother for her sons at Sacred Heart School and became the
	school's first female board president; moreover, she was a Cub
	Scout den mother; she gave generously of her time and talents to
	such organizations as the Muenster Garden Club, the Catholic
	Daughters of the Americas, and planning committees for the city's
	Germanfest; and
	WHEREAS, Although Gracie Fuhrman is greatly missed, she
	has left her family and friends with a host of cherished
	memories, and she will forever hold a special place in their
	hearts; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
	Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life
	of Ellen Grace Fuhrman and extend sincere sympathy to the members
	of her family:  to her husband of 69 years, Alvin M. Fuhrman; to
	her son, Kent Fuhrman; to her daughter-in-law, Kaylynn Fuhrman;
	to her grandson, Conner Fuhrman; to her brothers-in-law, Ray Lueb
	and Bernard Sandmann; and to her other relatives and friends;
	and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
	prepared for her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
	this day, it do so in memory of Ellen Grace "Gracie" Fuhrman.
	Springer
		________________________________
		President of the Senate
		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on October 9, 2023, by
		a rising vote.
		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate
		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate