Obituary of Sheryl Kathleen Kotenbrink

Sheryl Kathleen Kotenbrink, 77, was born June 3, 1942 in Independence, Iowa to the proud parents Luther Linne Morton and Thelma Jeanette Griffith Morton. She enjoyed growing-up with her brothers and sisters, Noreen Ann Morton Scott, Luther Judd Morton, Linnea Janis Morton Lauer (deceased), Ingrid Sue Morton-Groth, and David Anders Morton.

Sheryl met her forever love, Rod Kotenbrink, in Independence, Iowa and the two were married June 3, 1961 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence. Sheryl and Rod moved to Ackley, Iowa in 1963, and then in 1968 they moved the family to Monticello, Iowa. It was in Monticello where Sheryl began to teach piano lessons and developed a wonderful following of students while balancing a full-time job as a wife and mother. In 1977, she began working for a steel span company within the drafting department.

After living their entire life in the mid-west, in 1981 Sheryl and Rod moved to Conroe, Texas in search of a new life chapter…and for warmer weather. Sheryl was quick to secure employment at an oil drilling company. Developing greater knowledge in the industry her career flourished through the mid ‘80’s while working for a series of natural resource companies. In 1984, Sheryl made a career pivot and began working in the financial sector in downtown Houston.  Four-years later in 1988 one of her former senior reports, knowing first-hand how talented she was, offered her a job opportunity at Resolution Trust Company. Sheryl worked there across several years until she was ready to throw in the rigorous daily traffic commute from Conroe to Houston. In 1995 she was hired at Citizens Bank of New Waverley where she worked as a loan officer. Sheryl and Rod eventually moved to New Waverly, Texas to enjoy the quieter side of a true Texas ranch life. She and her husband eventually retired in 2006. She could not have been happier to engage herself in daily cooking and baking on behalf of family and loved ones, sewing, needle point, gardening, and of course becoming a part-time ranch hand to her hubby. 

Never ones to sit still and always looking for something new, shortly after retirement, Sheryl and Rod returned to their mid-western roots and relocated to Hudson, Wisconsin to be closer to their daughter, Julie, and her family. It was during this time when Sheryl began to sense the early signs of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare brain disorder disease that could not be diagnosed correctly until visiting a specialist doctor in Houston. In 2013, in search for better care and a proper diagnosis, Sheryl and Rod returned back to Houston, Texas where she and Rod resided until her recent death. 

Throughout her life, Sheryl enjoyed a variety interests and hobbies, including sewing, quilting, needlepoint, community theater, gardening, canning & freezing her own garden veggies /fruits, golf, tennis, swimming, camping, card club, and, of course, she was never one to deny herself the pleasure of antique hunting. She was also the ultimate game player, and loved cooking & entertaining.   You could guarantee yourself the Trivial Pursuit “win” when Sheryl was on your team. There was always a newspaper crossword puzzle in process laying around the house.

Sheryl taught her husband and children how to dance. She and Rod filled their evenings and weekends with square dancing, disco, and country western. Dancing was always a big part of their life.  In fact, on dates before marrying, they danced on roller skates.

She was socially involved in church nearly her entire adult life - teaching Sunday School, accompanying the Jr./Sr. High choir on the piano, singing in the church choir, assisting with Luther League, participating in Bible Studies, and she was an active member of the Lutheran Women’s Circle. 

Sheryl will mostly be remembered as “The Ultimate” in hospitality. She found true happiness by hosting holiday gatherings, family dinners and sharing her love with her outstanding cooking and baking.  Anyone who came to her house was always treated to her scrumptious food.

Sheryl is survived by her husband, Rod Kotenbrink of Houston, Texas, four children, Robyn (Chip) Lane, Julie (Jay) Humphries, Blake (Scott Murray) Kotenbrink, Jason Kotenbrink, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Friday, October 18, 11:00am at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church located at 5501 Main Street, Houston, TX 77004. A reception will immediately follow - details provided to guests at church.

Donations in honor of a memorial for Sheryl Kotenbrink may be made to Bridgewood Farms on behalf of Sheryl’s down syndrome son, Jason Kotenbrink OR to PSP research. See below for details.

• Mailed to:
  • Bridgewod Farms
  • Attn:  Judy, 11680 Rse Road, Conroe TX 77303
    • NOTE: Please write in the Memo area on the check “Memorial:  Sheryl Kotenbrink”
• For online donations:
  • www.bridgewodfarms.org
  • In the area “Add Special Instructins to the Seller” please reference “Memrial:  Sheryl Kotenbrink”

OR

• Cure PSP – Unlocking the Secrets of Brain Disease
  • www.psp.rg
    • Click on “Donations"
    • Check the Box:  “This is A Tribute Gift”
    • Under “Honor Gift Type” choose “In Memory Of”
    • Honoree’s Name:  Sheryl Kotenbrink
    • Under “Who Should We Notify”:
      • Robyn Lane, 1603 Prospect Street, Houston, TX. 77004