Dates
Frank Leo Hoelscher, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2025, at the age of 89. He was born during a snowstorm in February on the family farm in the close-knit Olfen community to Frank F. Hoelscher and Emma Wanoreck Hoelscher. Frankie grew up surrounded by the values of faith, family, and hard work that would define his life.
Frankie attended Olfen School and later graduated from Ballinger High School, where he formed lifelong friendships. He then attended San Angelo College. On June 18, 1958, he married the love of his life, Marjorie Hoelscher, beginning a partnership that would span 60 adventurous years. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and an endless supply of jokes—though Margie often had to remind him he’d already told them. If you knew Frankie, you know he was big on the laughter part. He was a sincere, joyful man with a huge smile at all times and loved cracking jokes, spreading his positive, fun-spirited energy. It wasn’t uncommon for “magic” tricks to take place, such as quarters being pulled out of little kids’ ears or one of his famous card tricks. He had a sharp mind and loved playing cards, dominoes, and poker with family and friends over the years.
Frankie and Margie were blessed with five sons, two of whom heartbreakingly passed away at early ages. In addition to raising their own children, Frankie and Margie opened their hearts and home to foster a little girl for several months, demonstrating their generosity and compassion for others. The family grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he absolutely loved to have over to visit or see pictures and videos of.
Frankie retired from the Santa Fe Railway Company after 31 years of service as a clerk agent and enjoyed his time as a director for the Concho Valley Electric Cooperative Board, giving more than 32 years of dedicated service. He also served on the board of Texas Farm Bureau for over 30 years. Frankie enjoyed farming watermelons, cantaloupes, and cotton at Coyanosa and cherished all the friendships he made there. He loved traveling with Margie to places all over the USA as well as different countries for pleasure and acts of service, such as his trips to Honduras to help out their communities. They had many memories and travel stories to share, from when their boys were younger all the way to their older years by themselves. One time in particular, Frankie drove off from a convenience store with their travel trailer—while Margie was still inside! He thought she had gotten into her own vehicle and was following along as planned. He continued to drive miles along the road as she frantically tried waving to get his attention out of a side window. You’ll have to ask a family member what she waved out the window that finally caught his attention to pull over and let her out! One of their greatest travel achievements was making it to Alaska, pulling their travel trailer behind them, and exploring for three months, making friends everywhere they went. These two were a fun couple, and I know many family and friends can attest to always having a good time when around Frankie and Margie.
They both enjoyed spending time at their second home, Pawpaw’s Fishing Shack, in Box Canyon on Lake Amistad, where numerous cherished memories were made over the years with family and friends. Frankie enjoyed many fishing trips with his special buddies: Cecil Halfmann, Earl Halfmann, George Halfmann, Cliff Hohensee, Wayne Lehr, Daniel Strube, Olen Weishuhn, and others.
He was well known for cooking scrumptious onion rings and hardly missed a year cooking them up for the Mic-Nic Reunion for over 20 years. That whole group held a special place in his heart. He also taught the risk of gambling to countless kids for over 25 years at Wall’s Project Graduation, serving as the Pit Boss and staying up all night long with the kids, helping provide a fun and memorable option for graduating seniors.
Frankie was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margie; his two sons, Allen Wayne and Randal Wade; his parents, Frank F. and Emma Hoelscher; his sister, Eldoris Zly, and her spouses, Herbert Goetz and Edwin Zly; his brothers, Wilbert Hoelscher and Ray Gene Hoelscher (Jean); his mother-in-law, Florine Hoelscher; his father-in-law, Herbert Hoelscher; and his brother-in-law, Clifford Hoelscher (Joyce Ann).
He is survived by his three sons, Rodney Hoelscher (Kerri), Greg Hoelscher (Debra), and Keith Hoelscher; his eight grandchildren, Courtney Halfmann (Hayden), Cole Hoelscher (Allison), Slayton Hoelscher (Abby), Sawyer Hoelscher, Gage Hoelscher, Kanton Hoelscher (fiancée Renee), Katie Hoelscher, and Levi Hoelscher; and his five great-grandchildren, Reece Halfmann, Shane Halfmann, Saige Halfmann, Case Hoelscher, and Kyla Halfmann.
Frankie is also survived by his brother, Danny Hoelscher (Peggy); his sisters-in-law, Janice Hoelscher, Dorothy Kvapil (Howard), Sandra Couey (Steve); his brothers-in-law, Dwane Hoelscher (Janell), Jerry Hoelscher (Arlene), and Steven Hoelscher (Jennifer); and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members who held him dear.
A rosary service will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Wall, TX, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial will take place in St. Ambrose Cemetery.
Due to ongoing renovations at the parish hall, there will be no fellowship or meal following the burial.
Serving as pallbearers will be Frankie’s six grandsons—Cole Hoelscher, Slayton Hoelscher, Sawyer Hoelscher, Gage Hoelscher, Kanton Hoelscher, and Levi Hoelscher—along with his grandson-in-law, Hayden Halfmann.
Frankie’s life was a testament to love, faith, and service. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy of kindness, joyful laughter, and unwavering devotion to his family and community will live on in the hearts of those he touched.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Meals for The Elderly or a charity of your choice in Frankie’s memory.
Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.