Elsie Kullenberg

Elsie Mona Guthrie Kullenberg was born near Rockdale, Texas, the oldest child of James Calvin Guthrie and Ruby Sanders Guthrie. Her teen years and young adult life was spent in Austin, Texas. She graduated from Austin High School. Her parents owned and operated Guthrie Cleaners where she worked and helped the family. Guthrie Cleaners is still owned and operated by the Guthrie family with Elsie's brother, nieces and nephews responsible for its success.\r\n\r\nElsie and her husband, Upton Weller Kullenberg (January 6, 1914 - December 15, 2005) moved to Kerrville from Austin in 1956. They owned and operated the downtown Western Auto store where they shared many friendships and were awarded many honors by the city. Elsie could be seen every day at Pampell's having coffee and sharing stories with other downtown people. The Western Auto store became the I Remember shop in later years. She retired with Upton in 1982.\r\n\r\nElsie, known as Granny to neighborhood children, spent her retired years reading, cooking, making many beautiful quilts and one of a kind embroidery pieces. She was also an accomplished gardener. She appeared in the Times newspaper several times showing off her plants. People would stop while driving by her home and visit and ask questions about her plants. Elsie practiced "yoga with Willie" well into her 90's. She walked on good days and exercise with TV programs. The week before she became ill she could be seen walking her neighborhood with her safety walker, wearing a pair of her lovely colored tennis shoes. \r\n\r\nElsie is preceded in death by her parents, and her husband of 79 years, Upton Weller Kullenberg; her brothers, Calvin and J.C Guthrie; her sister, Carmen G. Lewis; and her grandson, Eric Wagner. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara K. Peterson (husband, Edward)of San Antonio and Lois K. Hulse (husband, John) of Kerrville; brother, Pal Guthrie (wife, Joyce) of Austin; her grandchildren Amber Wagner, Edwin K. Hulse (Houston), John E. Hulse, Jr. (Houston), Tim W. Hulse (San Antonio) and six great-grandchildren; Meris Wagner, Brian K. Hulse, Keegan Hulse, Bailey Hulse, Tiffany Hulse and Hunter Hulse and many nieces and nephews. \r\n\r\nA memorial service for both Upton and Elsie will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at First Christian Church with Dr. Michael Passmore of San Antonio and Rev. Brett Coe of Kerrville officiating. Glenna Bell-Orman will be responsible for music arrangements.\r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to Peterson Hospice. \r\n\r\n[contact-form-7 id="73" title="Send Condolences"]