Louise Goerlitz

Louise Goerlitz died Wednesday afternoon, June 28, 2017, at the age of 97.  She was born to Harvey and Grace (DeGlandon) Smith on April 11, 1920.

Louise was dedicated to her family at an early age, dropping out of school to care for her seven younger siblings during a flu outbreak.  She returned to school and graduated at 21 years of age.  She married Erhard Goerlitz on August 13, 1941. After Erhard’s military service during WWII, the couple made their home and livelihood on a farm and ranch in McDade, Texas, raising three children: Alice Kay, Janice, & Erhard, Jr.  They were also caregivers to Louise’s disabled brother, Bill, and raised her nephew, Henry Ward, after his parents died.

Louise was the consummate homemaker, with her excellent abilities as a seamstress, her food preservation skills with vegetables in her garden, and her mastery of the art of cooking delicious meals.  She also enjoyed painting the beautiful things she saw around her.  She delighted in sharing her skills at the Home Demonstration Club (McDade Extension Education Club), which she belonged to for over 60 years, and often brought home championship ribbons from the judging contests. Louise was active in her community, serving in leadership roles in PTA, Cub Scouts, Bastrop County German Club, VFW Ladies Auxiliary and McDade Historical Society.  She was active in the McDade Watermelon Festival and served as the Festival’s Parade Marshal with her husband, Erhard.  Louise was the reporter of the “McDade News” for the Elgin Courier for 18 years.  She was also a member of Faith Lutheran Church for 55 years, and from the day local families, including her own, helped build the church in McDade, TX in 1967.

Louise’s husband, Erhard, preceded her in death on September 24, 2011, after 70 years of marriage.  Louise is survived by her three children, Alice Kastner (Leonard), Janice Payne (Roger) and Erhard Goerlitz (Harry Behal), and grandchildren, Margaret Rackel (Steve), Roger Payne, Jr. (Amber), Jeff Ruthven (Lara), Randy Kastner (Stacy), Julie Zachary (Mark), Donney Kastner (Sarah), Brad Payne (Liz), Tonya Maldonaldo (P.R.), Geoff Behal, and Cameron Behal; sixteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; sister Loraine Smith of Lexington; brothers-in-law Alton Patschke of Bastrop and Ernest Biehle of Lexington; sister-in-law Betty Goerlitz of Monroe, WI, and numerous nieces, nephews, and family members that loved her dearly.

Serving as pallbearers are grandsons Jeff Ruthven, Mark Zachary, P.R. Maldonado, Steve Rackel, Randy Kastner, Brad Payne; great-grandsons Ben Ruthven and Tyler Kastner.

Memorial contributions can be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 230 Waco St., McDade, TX 78650, if so desired.

The family will receive friends at Providence-Jones Funeral Home in Elgin, TX, from 6:00 to 8:00pm Saturday, July 1st.  Funeral services will be held at 2:30pm on Sunday, July 2, 2017, at Faith Lutheran Church in McDade, with Pastor Ronnie Gregory and Reverend Lee Eschberger officiating. Interment will follow at the McDade Cemetery.