Marilyn Kieschnick Defrates was born in Port Arthur, Texas, December 30, 1928. She died Tuesday, January 11, 2011. She was raised in the Lutheran faith, being baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church on January 20, 1929 and confirmed there on April 7, 1941. She married Clyde Defrates, Jr. on September 9, 1949. They moved to Beaumont, where they joined Redeemer Lutheran Church in 1963. She has been a faithful and active member since that time.
She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1946 and then from Port Arthur Business College. Marilyn worked from numerous companies as a secretary, including St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and French High School. Her greatest accomplishment, she felt, was assuring that her children received college educations, and thus career opportunities. Education was always a priority.
For many years, Marilyn’s faith has focused on the mantra: “Through ills, we learn patience. From patience, we learn courage. From the courage to go on, we receive hope. And from hope, comes peace.”
When a person receives salvation and peace through Christ, death is not an end, but a new beginning, passing through the valley to blessed eternity.
Marilyn is survived by her husband of sixty-one years, Clyde Defrates, Jr.; her daughters, Kathy Flynn and her husband Patrick of Sherman, Texas, and Jan Dunlap and her husband Ernest of Houston; her son, Greg Defrates and his wife Dina of Orange; and five grandchildren, Bryan Flynn of Sherman, Texas, Kevin Flynn of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Angela Dunlap and Jessica Dunlap of Houston, Texas and Katelyn Defrates of Orange, Texas.
Her funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 14, 2011, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 4330 Crow Road, Beaumont with burial to follow at Haven of Rest Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 13, 2011, at Broussard’s.
Memorial contributions may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 4330 Crow Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Confirmation Bible Verse: Isaiah Chapter 54 Vs. 10
“The mountains may move and the hills waver, but my love will never leave you, and the covenant by which I make you happy will never waver, says the Lord who feels sorry for you.”
