Patricia Ann Frances Gruber Wilde, age 83, of Industry, Texas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 20, 2021, at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in College Station, Texas. She was born on October 5, 1937 to Frank S. and Lena E. (Halfmann) Gruber on the family farm located in Lowake (Concho County) near Rowena, Texas. Patricia (or Pat) as a child attended Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rowena and Saint Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Ballinger. She married Sewall Wilde on March 1, 1962, and as a new bride she moved to his home near Frelsburg, Texas. They were married for 58 years.

Patricia graduated from Norton High School, played on the volleyball team, participated in the Pep Squad, and was voted Junior Class Favorite. Patricia received the Volleyball Ring Award in the 1950s. After high school, she worked at the soda fountain at Keel Drugstore, until returning to the farm. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend. She spent her early years as a homemaker and while raising three daughters, volunteered her time with the church cleaning group, baked cakes for funerals, and then after her children were grown-up she was employed at Weiner’s Department Store and JCPenney in Brenham, Texas for over thirty years. Pat was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church and the Saint Ann’s Altar Society in Frelsburg. Patricia had a good sense of humor, was optimistic, and encouraging to family members. One of her favorite sayings was “It’s a beautiful day!”

In her free time, Pat loved being outdoors, enjoyed gardening, spending time with her grandchildren and reading the newspaper; she in particular asked for the Sunday Houston Chronicle. Our mother, Patricia, helped in the daily operation of the farm and ranch. She picked many acres of cotton and chopped weeds from the cotton, maize, and corn fields. Her hobbies included making cookies and watching the weather. Pat’s favorite thing was to sit on the front porch and have some time to herself.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Lena and Frank Gruber, her husband Sewall Wilde, her brother Wilbert Gruber and sister Virginia Eggemeyer DeShayes.

Patricia Wilde is survived by her three daughters, Elizabeth Payne and husband Eric of Sealy, Tx; Debra Land and husband Ronnie of Hockley, Tx; and Janice Norsworthy and husband Gale of Chappell Hill, Tx. She is also survived by five loving grandchildren Shane (Dawn) Cotton, Erica Payne, Everett Payne, Ethan Payne and stepgrandson Eric (Melissa) Land; three greatgrandchildren Julie Cotton, Daenerys Cotton, and Easton Land; and her brother Stanley F. Gruber, plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral service was Friday, March 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Frelsburg with Fr. Michael Lyons officiating. Burial followed at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was Thursday, March 25 at Henneke Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A rosary was held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, led by Deacon Chuck Glynn, and at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the church.

Serving as pallbearers were Shane Cotton, Everett Payne, Eric Payne, Duane Dudensing, Brian Dierschke, and Ty Eggemeyer.

Memorials may be made to a favorite charity or Meals on Wheels at hoamealsonwheels. org or HOA (Helping One Another) Incorporated of Austin County, 915 Frydek Road, Sealy, Texas 77474 or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75284.

Honorary pallbearers were Ethan Payne, Gale Norsworthy, Curtis Eggemeyer, Nick Eggemeyer, Anthony Lange, Dwaine Lange, Doyle Lange, Richard Lange, Jamie Elick, and Steven Short.