Elsie Marie Lehman Rhodes

Elsie Marie Lehman Rhodes, of Buda, Texas, passed away Monday, December 6, 2010 at the age of 90. She was born on her family’s farm in Driftwood, Texas on July 3, 1920 to Fritz Henry Lehman and Bertha Elnora Sauer Lehman.

Elsie married her beloved Wilford Henry Rhodes on February 6, 1943 and resided in Austin, Texas until 1997 when they moved to Buda.

Elsie retired from the Austin Public School District in 1982 after 20 years of service in the Food Service Department. During those years she worked at Travis High School, Zilker, Cunningham, Odom, and Sunset Valley Elementary Schools. After her retirement she enjoyed quilting, gardening, spending time with her family and taking care of her animals.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Wilford; sons, George and Douglas; brothers, Henry, Otto, Herman, and Charlie; sister, Louise Koenig and her parents.

Elsie is survived by her daughters, Betty Teltow and husband, Bill, Linda Hinkle and husband, James; her grandchildren, James Hinkle II, Stephen Teltow, Sarah Hinkle, and Patricia Collard and husband, Brent; great-grandchildren, Staff Sergeant Seth and Whitney Collard, Kacy Collard; and great-great-grandchildren, Cameron and Lola; her sister, Meina Lehman; numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved cat, Gracie and dogs, Rocky, and Buddy.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Thursday, December 9, 2010 with services following at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home with Dr. Ken Baldwin officiating. Interment will follow at Phillips Cemetery in Dripping Springs, TX.

Honoring Mrs. Rhodes as pallbearers will be her nephews, Walter Koenig, Lewis Lehman, Travis Lehman, Jerry Lehman, and grandsons, James Hinkle and Stephen Teltow. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred “Shorty” Howes, and Bill Raby.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to all of “Ms. Elsie’s” healthcare professionals that kept her going for many years and to Angels for Elders and A Woman’s Place for their loving care for the past couple of years.