Lanelle Marie Coursey

LaNelle Marie Coursey (Klinkerman) passed peacefully into her heavenly home on October 14, 2022, in Bryan, Texas.

Born at home in Clara, Texas on July 11, 1923, Lanelle was the second of six children born to parents Emma and Alex Klinkerman. She attended Trinity Lutheran School in Clara, Texas through the 7th grade, and was confirmed in 1936 at Trinity Lutheran Church. She graduated from Burkburnett High School. LaNelle was an active member of the Lutheran Church throughout her life. She was a passionate member of the Lutheran Women’s Ministry League (LWML) and was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church until her death. She spent much of her time cooking, baking, and crafting for the women’s ministry. Her life’s work was serving her church family at Bethel and raising her children.

LaNelle left home in 1945 and traveled with friends to the Republic of Panama to work as a civil servant during WWII. While there she met William H. Coursey (Bill). Bill served as a military policeman for the Army and was stationed there for a time. The two fell in love, rode the boat back to the states, then rode a bus to LaNelle’s home, where he asked for her hand in marriage. Bill and LaNelle were married March 17, 1946, in Clara Texas. They lived for a time in Detroit, Michigan, Bill’s home where he worked selling cars with his father and brothers. Together they raised three children: Gary Coursey, Gail Carmical, and Larry Coursey. They moved from Detroit to Wichita Falls, Texas in 1953.  LaNelle worked for 22 years at Texas Instruments as a solderer. They were able to build a home together in 1987 outside Bryan in the Benchley Community.

LaNelle spent her time after retirement as an active church member, and crafter. She and her husband both enjoyed working on their various projects. She was a talented seamstress, crocheter, and knitter.

LaNelle is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and her daughter Gail Carmical. She is survived and mourned by her children Gary Coursey (Kelly Coursey), and Larry Coursey (Carolyn Coursey). Her Grandchildren: Murray Hilyard, Devra Carmical, Trae Carmical (Ronda), Erin Cearley (Luke), Amanda Coursey, and Emma Coursey. Her great-grandchildren: Hadassah Curtis, Allasan Hale, Mason Carmical, Braeden Carmical, Cal Grady Cearley, and Cort Kelly Cearley.