Gertrude Rosalie Kubitz Mathias, a long time former resident of the Goforth and Niederwald communities, passed away peacefully on Nov. 23, 2013 in McKinney, Texas at the age of 101.
Gertrude was born on July 17, 1912, near Copperas Cove, Texas. She was the second daughter of John Carl and Magdalena Teinert Kubitz. She grew up on the family farm and attended the Immanuel Lutheran Day School.
Gertrude married Edgar Ben Mathias on Dec. 31, 1932 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. The couple lived on their farm until 1942 when they sold the property for the wartime expansion of Fort Hood. Edgar and Gertrude then purchased a farm near Goforth where they raised cattle and crops. The couple had two children: Nelda and Edgar Walter (E. W.).
Active in the Niederwald Trinity United Church of Christ, Gertrude taught Sunday School and served as President of the Women’s Guild for over 20 years. When her husband Edgar passed away in January 1980, Gertrude moved to Buda. She enjoyed life in town and had family and many friends in Buda. Gertrude was an avid gardener and seamstress. She remained involved in church and at the Onion Creek Senior Citizens Center. In 1999, she moved to McKinney, Texas to live closer to her son E.W. where she resided until her death.
Immediate family members whose death preceded Gertrude include: her husband Edgar after 48 years of marriage; daughter Nelda Potts who passed away in December 1995; and sisters Irene, Esther and Lillian.
Getrude is survived by her son Edgar Walter and his wife Betty of Allen, Texas; granddaughter Cynthia McCormick and husband John, Buda, Texas; granddaughter Brenda Cox and husband Patrick, Wimberley, Texas; and great-grandchildren Amy Kubecka and husband Mark, of Palacios, Texas; Tommy McCormick and wife Mendi, of Fentress, Texas; and Lauren Apgar and husband Jonathan, of Bloomington, Indiana. Great-great-grandchildren are: Avery, Ty and Ansley Kubecka and Bethany McCormick.
A private family memorial service was held on Nov. 26. Gertrude will be cremated and interred next to her husband Edgar at Memory Lawn Memorial Park, Martindale, Texas.
