Elsbeth Emilie Blankenstein was the daughter of Gottfried Friedrich August "Fred" Blankenstein and Marie Dorothea Elisabeth Friedrichs.
Elsie Blankenstein was baptized March 18, 1894, at Zion Evangelical Church in Waco, Texas. No baptismal sponsors were named on her baptism certificate.
Elsie was confirmed April 5, 1908, by Pastor C. Wolff at St. Paul's Evangelical & Reformed Church (now St. Paul's United Church of Christ) in Gerald, Texas. Her confirmation text was II Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me".
Elsie married Carl Emil Forkel on Nov. 10, 1915, at Zion Evangelical Church in Waco; Pastor Josef Jaworski performed the marriage ceremony.
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OBITUARY FROM THE WACO TRIBUNE HERALD:
FORKEL, MRS. ELSBETH AMELIA
Mrs. Elsbeth Amelia Forkel of 305 S. Andrews died Friday at her residence.
Funeral services 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Wilkirson-Hatch Chapel, Rev. Orris Sougstad officiating, burial in Oakwood Cemetery.
Survivors: One daughter, Mrs. Richard (Genevieve) Schmidt of Treasure Isle, Fla.; one son, Carl E. Forkel of Satellite Beach, Fla.; two sisters, Mrs. Elfriede Bode and Mrs. Alma Banik, both of Dayton, Texas; two brothers, Richard Blankenstein and Siegfried Blankenstein, both of Fort Worth; six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Wilkirson-Hatch Funeral Home, 1124 Washington Ave.
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Elsie Blankenstein Forkel was preceded in death by her parents, Gottfried Blankenstein and Marie Friedrichs Blankenstein; her husband, Carl E. Forkel, Sr., in 1950; her brothers, Herman, Paul, and Freddie Blankenstein; and her sisters, Mamie Lehmann and Rose Blankenstein.