Gertrude Guadarrama passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on April 14, 2016. Gertrude Guadarrama was born Gertrud Sofie Göppinger on Oct. 21, 1928 in Schwab-München, Germany. Through the years, she often spoke of growing up during the war years with stories that were poignant and touching. Raised in the small town of Füssen, Germany, within walking distance of the fabled Schloss Neuschwanstein, Mom met our Dad, John Guadarrama, a young soldier from Texas, while she was working as a typesetter for the local newspaper Das Füssener Blatt. Language proved to be no barrier to love, and so they married in Füssen. In 1950, Mom and daughter Mary Lou sailed from Bremerhaven, Germany to New York, where they were joyfully met by our Dad. Together again, the family started the long bus ride home to San Antonio, Texas. Shortly thereafter, Dad was sent to Korea. During his absence, Mom learned to speak, read and write English and to drive. In 1953, Mom was very proud to become a naturalized citizen. After the welcome addition of daughter Belinda, the next 18 years were spent at various bases in Germany and the U.S. Mom was delighted when Mary Lou presented her with a granddaughter, Lorraine. Soon the many packages with baby clothes from Germany began to arrive. Mom and Dad retired in San Antonio in 1972, but continued to spend the summers in Germany. After Dad’s death in 1983, Mom continued traveling to Germany to visit her family and friends. After Belinda moved to California, Mom added walking along the beach with Belinda as a favorite pastime.
We remember our Mom and Oma as very protective, giving and loving, always putting her family first. She enjoyed the outdoors, walking her dog, and bicycling in the countryside. Mom had a particular penchant for driving around neighborhoods just to look at houses and their landscaping. She was an avid reader and appreciated all types of music from Sinatra and Elvis to waltzes and operettas. Mom was a wonderful cook and we all looked forward to our Sunday dinners together. She spent countless happy hours just talking and laughing with her girls. Mom enjoyed having friends over for coffee and cake, a glass of German wine, or the occasional sip of cognac. She was a long-time volunteer at the Ft. Sam Houston Thrift Shop, where she made many more friends.
Mom is survived by daughters Mary Lou Ellis and Belinda Guadarrama, granddaughter Lorraine Neff and son-in-law Dan Ellis. She played a special role in the lives of each of us and leaves a void that cannot be filled.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 19 at 3 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Mom’s favorite organization, the San Antonio Zoo. Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Funeral Home, San Antonio, TX.
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