Toni Marie Mansker

Toni Marie Mansker went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. She was born April 15, 1968 to Fred and Ardith Kotzen in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In 1971, her family left New Mexico and moved to the great state of Texas…Toni’s home for the rest of her life. Toni earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology from Abilene Christian University.

Toni’s passion for God’s creation started at a young age as she loved catching lizards and insects. She was inquisitive and interested, always in pursuit of knowledge about plants, animals, rocks, and outer space. She became an excellent photographer and a talented graphic designer. Mutual adoration existed between Toni and her many pets, especially her rescue pups, Willie and Whiskey, who absolutely adore her.

Toni was gifted with the ability to connect with and enjoy people from all walks of life. In her early career, she worked as a counselor in a rehab hospital, showing compassion and empathy to its adolescent patients. Later, her natural interest in all things science made her an especially engaging special education teacher, well-loved by her students. While she eventually left teaching to raise her children, Toni felt a lifelong pull to help people. This natural interest in others drew her to pursue a career in life coaching in recent years.

Toni’s shining achievement, however, is the family she built with the love of her life, Clint Mansker. Although they met at Abilene Christian, their love story actually started after college as they both pursued careers in Houston. While dating, they enjoyed discovering life in the city and country western dancing, culminating in a romantic surprise proposal at the Rainbow Lodge. Toni and Clint were married in 1996 and kept their marriage strong and vibrant by experiencing activities together like traveling, scuba diving, supporting their kids, visiting family, and enjoying time at the family ranch in South Texas. In 2018, they purchased a home in Canyon Lake where they spent the last five years living out their dream on a beautiful, rural property. She loved her walking trail, all the nature, the clear night skies, the flower gardens, and raising chickens. She especially loved getting to know the people she sold her eggs to… ever the socialite! Mostly, however, she enjoyed building and nurturing the special bond she had with each of her two children. Cole and Caitie will always remember their Mom as their counselor, confidant, champion, guide and faith leader.

Toni worked tirelessly in her community taking on various roles in the PTA - including two years as president. She was known for her warm welcome of newcomers, making sure that they felt plugged in and accepted. She nurtured her relationships and was eager to share her friends with others. Out of these efforts blossomed a great network of friends. She especially loved her bunco group, her book club, and her best friend, Lisa, with whom she created two seasons of their hit podcast, “Here’s Your Red Flag.”

Toni was preceded in death by her father, Fred Kotzen. She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Clint Mansker; children, Cole Mansker and Caitlin Mansker; mother, Ardith Kotzen; sisters, Kim Kotzen, and Alicia (Cecil) Gregg; father and mother-in-law, Gary and Susie Mansker; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clay (Jenny) Mansker, Cathy (Jonathon) Shaw and Clark (Lindsey) Mansker; and numerous treasured nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 9, at Northside Church of Christ in San Antonio.

A private graveside service will be conducted at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, August 10, at the Mansker Ranch Cemetery in Bee County.