Mary Margaret Bremhorst White

Mary Margaret Bremhorst White passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 12, 2020, in West Siloam Springs (Watts), OK. Mary was previously a longtime resident of New Orleans, living both in Gentilly Woods, then Gretna. After hurricane Katrina, she and Joe lived in Royse City, TX, and Kingwood, TX. Mary Margaret came into this world on November 5, 1924, and was the second of four children born in Ottumwa, IA to Leo Ferdinand and Marie Marguerite Meany Bremhorst. She and her siblings all worked in the family-owned grocery store in downtown Ottumwa until they left to live on their own. Mary graduated from Iowa State University class of 1947 with a BS in Home Economics, specializing in Household Equipment. Her first job with The Gas Service took her to Kansas City, Missouri where she met and married Joe Mack White of Tonkawa, Oklahoma on July 16, 1949.

Mary and Joe had 7 children in the first eight years of their marriage!!! 1 born in Kansas City, MO; 1 in Lyons, KS, 3 in Great Bend, KS and lastly 2 born in New Orleans, LA. Mary was kept busy by her seven children, their activities, and the household. Most important in Mary’s life, and all her children know it, was God—the center of her life. She taught the children about Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and their Guardian Angel, and more. The family was to attend Mass and learn their Catechism. Mary lived her faith.

Mary became a Girl Scout Troop Leader while her girls were in Scouting. She also worked most of her life. She was the church secretary at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Gentilly Woods, New Orleans, from the time her youngest child started Kindergarten (approx.1962) until the family moved to the Westbank in January, 1969. She then worked at the LSU Cooperative Extension Service on the West Bank, and finally at Heritage Electric company until she was 70 years old. In addition to all her years of work, she volunteered at her parishes: St Gabriel the Archangel, and Saint Cletus in Gretna. When Mary retired, she was able to become more active in her parish, St. Cletus, which was something she had always desired. She attended daily Mass and became friends with her parish priest and so many parishioners, whom she dearly loved and never forgot. She started assisting with leading the Rosary before Mass and ended up making a schedule for leading the Rosary. Later, Mary worked hard to maintain the Adoration Chapel and keep the schedule. For her unselfish volunteering at Saint Cletus Church for over 38 years, she received the Order of St. Louis Award presented to her by New Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes. When Mary moved to Royse City, TX, she became friends with several parishioners from Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, whom she also dearly loved and never forgot.

Being a home economist, Mary was a great cook. She cooked many, many meals for the nine family members, the family agreed that her pot roast with potatoes and vegetables was unmatched, and was the staple for all of the family get-togethers as each returned home with their families!! Without a doubt, Mary emulated how a mother divides her love among her children but gives each child ALL OF HER LOVE!!!

Mary is survived by her 7 children: Kathryn Marie Marr (Woody) of New Orleans, LA; James Michael (Carla) of San Francisco, CA; Marilyn Jean Davis (Jerry) of Kingwood, TX; Mary Joanne Surcouf (Ivan) of West Siloam Springs, OK; Margaret Lynne Lopez (Johnny) of St Johns, FL; Charles Joseph (Debbie) of Royse City, TX, and William Robert (Denise) of Covington, LA. Mary, known as Nana or Great-Nana, is also survived by her 25 grandchildren: Geof (Mallory) Rodrigue; Lauren (Will) Whitehead; Kevin (Jennifer) Rodrigue; Matt (Heather) Gafke; Steven Gafke; MaryBeth Kauffeld (Steven); Cliff Lopez III (Mary); Tina Chandler-Lopez; Jenny Lopez; Katie Lopez; Nikki White; Brandon (Leighann) White; Julie White; Timmy White; Mary Margaret White; Alex White (Mallory); Brother Thomas White; Philip (Courtney) White; Monica White; Joey White; Theresa White; Katie White; Elizabeth White; Debbie White; and James White. And 21 great-grandchildren: Brittany, Gauge, and Reagan Rodrigue; Louise and Cecelia Whitehead; Alex, Evelyn, Ashton Rodrigue; Kaiden and Bailey Gafke; Caleb, Camryn, and Cason Chandler; Kalel and Falon Lopez; Amy, Levi, Miranda and Travis White; and Matthew and baby (due in December 2020) White. Mary is also survived by her brother Paul J Bremhorst of Edina, MN and 13 nieces and nephews.

Mary is pre-deceased by her parents and husband of 68 years, Joe Mack, and her siblings Robert L Bremhorst (Mary Jane) and Patricia A McAndrew.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to ETWN. (https://www.ewtn.com/)

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am Thursday, July 23, 2020 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 1305 Damascus Road, Rockwall, TX 75087, with Fr. Sean Martin presiding. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park, 2500 State Highway 66 East, Rockwall, TX, 75087. A private family gathering will take place at the Gathering at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Location.