Lanell V. Dube

Beloved wife, mother, and "Granny," LaNell Viola (Bethke) Dube, age 78, died Friday, November 17, 2017, at Parkwood Healthcare Community in Bedford, Texas. The legacy of her cheerful spirit, beauty and grace is indelibly etched upon the hearts and minds of those who knew her. Her infectious smile and hearty greetings were her trademark.
A Memorial Visitation will be held at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Rd, Hurst, TX, Fri., 12/01/2017, 6-8 PM. Nell's Memorial Service will be held at Living Word Lutheran Church, 2031 W. Northwest Hwy., Grapevine, TX, 12/02/2017, at 11 AM.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc., 2630 W. Freeway, Suite 100, Ft. Worth, TX, 76102; and Living Word Lutheran Church, 3021 W. Northwest Hwy., Grapevine, TX, 76051.
LaNell ("Nell") was the sixth child born to Walter and Amalia Bethke in Temple, Texas, on August 10,1939. Her siblings, all deceased, include Edna Steglich, Bernice Britton, Gladys Lewis, Monroe Bethke, and James Bethke. "Baby Nell" enjoyed a childhood steeped in love and affection centered around a strong German Lutheran heritage. At nineteen, she married Luther Paul Dube, a young Texas A&M Mechanical Engineering graduate who grew up with the same rich traditions and values as she. Baffled, Nell more than once exclaimed, "How on earth did I EVER catch the heartthrob of Austin, Texas?"
During their 59 years together, Luther became Nell's ever-present rock and soul mate; and she to him. Luther and Nell lovingly raised three children, Gretchen DeStefano, Margaret Paulsen and Hans Dube. These three were the center of Nell's life as an at-home wife and mother. She embraced this calling with enthusiasm and complete devotion as she faithfully instilled her love of God within her children.
The hub of Nell's home was her kitchen where she often produced three comforting meals a day. She was clever at figuring out what to do with all of Luther's vegetable produce from the garden. Her personally-cleaned and lovingly-decorated home was a beautiful expression of who she was. She loved antiques; sewing; raising cattleya orchids; anything that glittered; her daughters playing the piano; Luther humming in the garage; and her precious grandchildren's spontaneous smiles and hugs. She also enjoyed anyone walking through her kitchen door for an unexpected visit; harmonizing with Luther's bass in the pew each Sunday; fixing her own hair in stylish up-do's; nap time; happy hour; "chippies" (Cheetos, Fritos); ice cold "sody pop;" and crunchy peanut butter!
Garden Club was Nell's passion and her creative outlet. Winning "Best In Show" awards for her flower arrangements and horticulture entries put a broad grin on Nell's face. She ultimately achieved the status of "Master Flower Show Judge" and once flew to Atlanta to judge at the annual Southeastern Flower Show. She invested countless hours in major leadership roles within her garden clubs over the years.
Nell was very proud of her children and her six grandchildren (in order of birth): Lindsay Paulsen, Luke Dube, Liam DeStefano, Daniel DeStefano, Johann Dube and Maxwell Dube; and would happily express that pride to any listening ear. When Gretchen, Margaret and Hans all graduated from Texas A&M, in the early 1980's, Nell made sure the whole world knew it. Nell unconditionally loved her two son-in-laws, Bill Paulsen and Tony DeStefano, and her daughter-in-law, Amy (Lozuck) Dube. They were "her kids" too.
Nell's later years were riddled with several medical challenges. She never complained. Her tireless caregiver, Luther, witnessed her iron will to overcome overwhelming adversity, daily. Her ready smile, engaging personality, and generously-given warm embraces revealed just a fraction of the depths of her loving nature.