Lillian Real

Lillian Stieler Real passed away peacefully on February 28, 2018 in Kerrville, Texas. She was born on December 7, 1922 to Fritz and Lillian (Willke) Stieler of Comfort, Texas.\r\n\r\nLillian attended Comfort schools and was Salutatorian of her graduating class. She loved sports and was a star basketball player on her high school team. Baseball was also a love of hers, both playing and later watching her beloved Texas Rangers on TV even attended several games. \r\n\r\nAfter high school, she attended Stephens College in Columbia Missouri and made fast friends, ending up with everyone calling her "Tex". Two years of college and she returned home to Comfort to begin her career in ranching with her Father, a dream she had growing up. Her Father suggested she attend the yearly meeting of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association in Kerrville. Her cousin and best friend, Shatzie Stieler went with her as Shatzie was also a rancher's daughter. While there, she ran into a handsome young man by the name of Felix Real, Jr., and the rest is history. They were married November 7, 1942 and began a life of ranching, raising three children (Caspar, Linda, and Roberta), and until Felix's passing in 2014, were married for 71 years. \r\n\r\nIn 1971 Felix and Lillian moved their ranching operation to Utopia, Texas. In the 45+ years there, they made many wonderful and dear friends.\r\n\r\nLillian was active in the Kerrville community. She helped plan the 1956 Kerr County Centennial Celebration and even drove a horse-drawn wagon filled with Real children in the parade! A devout Christian, she was a member of St Peter's Episcopal Church. She taught Sunday School when her kids were little and when visiting clergy came for special church services, they would be invited out to the ranch for one of her home-cooked meals.\r\n\r\nFelix and Lillian were very involved in the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association. Lillian was a President of the Women's Auxiliary which she helped form. Lillian was given the Dietert Award for distinguished service in the Association, an honor she was very proud of.\r\n\r\nLillian Stieler Real was preceded in death by her husband, Felix, son, Caspar, and sister Roberta Stieler Smith Warren.\r\n\r\nSurvived by her two daughters, Linda Real Thorne, husband Gary; Roberta Real Rollings, husband Robert; daughter-in-law Sandra Real and her children Jonathan and Jennifer, and eight grandchildren: Robert Real, wife Susan; Christine Kelly, husband Chuck,; Alexandria Real; Travis Thorne, Erin Donovan; Breanna Rollings-Stokes, husband Jon; Brittany Wilson, husband Jereme; Bryan Rollings, wife Tama. Six great grandchildren: Ashley Real, Jack Kelly, Campbell Kelly, Lillian Ann Donovan, Luke Thorne, and Tucker Rollings, and the numerous nieces and nephews of the Real, Stieler and Willke families.\r\n\r\nPall Bearers are Robert Real, Travis Thorne, Bryan Rollings, Chris Pyle and Paul Simone. Honorary Pall Bearers are her many nephews that she cherished.\r\n\r\nThe family would like to greatly thank her caregivers from Utopia, Visiting Angels, the nurses and aides of Brookdale Senior Living, as well as the caring ladies of New Century Hospice in Kerrville\r\n\r\nLillian never met a stranger and, invariably, would invite any and all to the ranch for a tour. She spoke fluent German and pretty good Spanish!! She dearly loved her family and friends, cared deeply about ranching and the out of doors, and loved hunting. Even went to Alaska to hunt moose. She was a true pioneer in all aspects of her life.\r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers donations may be made to Utopia EMS, Utopia, TX 78884; Hill Country Youth Foundation, Ingram, Texas; Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association P.O. Box 2290 San Angelo, TX 76902, Memorial Garden Fund - St Peter's Episcopal Church, Kerrville, TX or a charity of your choice.\r\n\r\nA visitation will be held at Grimes Funeral Home, 728 Jefferson St, Kerrville, Texas from 5-7 pm on Friday, March 2, 2018. The funeral service will be held on Saturday March 3, 2018 at 2 pm, St Peter's Episcopal Church, Main Street and Tivy, Kerrville, Texas\r\n\r\nLillian and Felix are once again dancing the polka!