Gertrude was born on January 12, 1928 in Concrete, Texas and died, at the age of 85 on December 16, 2013. Her parents were Ben and Alvena Rathkamp Frels. She grew up as a country school girl, learning the skills of cooking, sewing, gardening, and canning vegetables. She attended the local country school and later took business courses to further her education. She married Norvan E. Eichholz on May 11, 1947 in Cuero and it is where they raised their two children, a daughter, Patricia and a son, Jimmy. They were life-long residents.

Gertrude worked as a Secretary at various businesses in Cuero. She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Cuero.

Gertrude enjoyed working crossword puzzles and word games. She was an excellent cook and generously shared both the food she prepared in her kitchen and many of her recipes. Gertrude was well known for the beautiful afghans, with cross-stitch designs, which she made and gave to family and friends, as well as donating them for fund raisers for local churches. She was quite accomplished at crocheting and needlepoint work.

Gertrude enjoyed attending and participating in Craft Sales. She collected various kinds of glassware and baskets, and always enjoyed browsing at yard sales and in local antique shops.

She is survived by her son, James Paul Eichholz of Victoria, her son-in-law, John Baker of Keller, Texas, her sister, Dorothy Arndt of Cuero, her brother-in-law, Bill Eichholz of Cuero, and her beloved niece, Alene Haynie of Seadrift. Gertrude is also survived by four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Norvan E. Eichholz, her daughter, Patricia Baker, and two grandsons; Thomas Shelton Eichholz and Christopher Edward Baker, as well as her brother, Gehard Frels, and her sister, Laura Petering.

Gertrude's grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials: St. Michael's Catholic Church in Cuero or St. Michael School Endowment Fund.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 20, 2013 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home. Services will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 10 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church with Father David Berger officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Cuero.

You may sign the guest book or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com. Freund Funeral Home, 361-275-2343.