"Teddy" Theodora Carter Vanderwerth Boehm

“Teddy” Theodora Carter Vanderwerth Boehm, of Brenham, Texas, passed away at age 85 on October 20, 2024.

Theodora, known as “Teddy” by friends and family, was born November 10, 1938 in Brenham, Texas to Theodore and Ellie (Carter) Vanderwerth, at the hospital in Brenham, Texas and was raised in the nearby town of Ledbetter by her loving parents. Teddy, who grew up reading books, exploring the outdoors and climbing trees around Ledbetter, went to school in Giddings, graduating from Giddings High School in 1956, where she was Senior Class President and Band Sweetheart. She then attended Blinn College in Brenham, followed by The University of Texas in Austin, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History in June 1959. Teddy enjoyed working for the Social Security Administration for four years in Galveston and Austin. Always the history buff, she later earned her Master’s Degree in History from Texas A&M University.

Teddy met Henry Boehm, Jr. while at Blinn College, and they both attended UT in Austin. After college, each of them happened to relocate to Galveston, as Teddy took a job with the local Social Security Administration and Henry began medical school at UT MB. They were married on August 15, 1960, while Henry was still in medical school, then moved to Austin for his internship at Brackenridge Hospital and finally settled in Brenham in 1963 making Brenham their home.

Teddy and Henry valued family and made a great parenting team in raising their four children, all of whom are married with families. The family has grown to include eleven grandchildren, three grandchildren-in-law, and one great-grandson.

Many things in life brought joy to Teddy…family, friends, faith, hard work, reading, sports, Longhorns, chocolate, and Blue Bell ice cream to name a few.

Teddy was an avid tennis player for years, and later took up golf, even playing in Scotland on a vacation with friends. She was passionate about cheering her kids on in their activities and sports, and coached Kay’s and Dee’s softball team for several years. Teddy and Henry were both physically active and began many of their days with an early morning jog. They both enjoyed snow skiing and water skiing, and annually planned family ski trips to the mountains and weekend getaways at Lake LBJ.

Teddy was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church and had a strong faith.

Teddy had many friends, both long-term and new, and she was loved and respected by many. She enjoyed gathering with friends and family, celebrating birthdays and holidays, getting together with the gym bunch, playing bridge, pitch and later bingo, or catching up over lunch or dessert.

Teddy had a passion for community service and was a strong leader, making a positive impact in so many areas, and was a wonderful role model. She was the youngest recipient to be named “Outstanding Woman in Washington County” by the Chamber of Commerce in 1974. Teddy served as a member of the Blinn College District Board of Trustees from October 2013 to October 2021. Teddy has served on the boards of Trinity Medical Center (President), the Lower Colorado River Authority (President), the Brenham Economic Development Foundation, and the Washington County Leadership Forum. She was Girl Scout Leader for Troop 153 and served on the Lone Star Girl Scout Council Board, which named her a “Central Texas Woman of Distinction”. She also served the Texas Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, Washington County Goodfellows, Washington County Girls Softball League (Co-Founder, Coach, Coached first All-Star team which advanced to State), Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association (President), Washington County Historical Commission (President), German-Texan Heritage Society Board (President), Heritage Society of Washington County (President), Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Burton Cotton Gin Museum, Independence Historical Society, Brenham Fortnightly Club, Lifetime Learning Board (President), Washington County Council, and Washington County Genealogical Society.

Teddy’s husband, Dr. Henry J. Boehm, Jr. passed away in 2018. She is survived by children: Kathryn “Kay” Boehm Fannin and son-in-law Gary, Dr. Adelia “Dee” Boehm Brannen and son-in-law David, Dr. Henry J. “Trey” Boehm III and daughter-in-law Beth, and Dr. Teresa Boehm and son-in-law Dr. Trey Cole; grandchildren: Richard Fannin and wife Tayanne Prestes, Garrett Fannin and wife Carrie, Gene Fannin, Christopher Brannen, Kathryn “Katie” Brannen and husband Nathan Sany, Emily Brannen, Henry Boehm IV, B. Davis Boehm, Carter Boehm, Ashton Vanderwerth Cole, and Haley Vivian Cole; great-grandson: Lane Henry Fannin.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all the helpers and caregivers who provided compassionate care for Teddy.

Pallbearers are Chris Brannen, Rich Fannin, Garrett Fannin, Henry Boehm IV, Gene Fannin, Davis Boehm, Carter Boehm, and Ashton Cole.

Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or to Blinn College Foundation.

Visitation for Teddy will be Friday, October 25th from 5pm until 7:30 pm at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, October 26th at 10 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Brenham, with Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz officiating. Interment will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Condolences may be shared with the family at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com