Gladys Ann Pehl

1938 - 2026

Gladys Ann (Feller) Pehl passed away January 28, 2026, in Fredericksburg, Texas, at the age of 87, just shy of her next birthday. She was born February 2, 1938, to Helen Erna (Heimann) Feller and Clarence O. Feller. Her sweetheart of 68 years of marriage, Gus Lawrence Pehl, Jr. passed two days later on February 2, 2026 on what would have been his life long partners birthday.

Gladys is survived by their four children: Sandra Hoelscher (Richard/"Rick") of Burnet, Dianne McManigle (Milton R./"Rickie Mac") of Fredericksburg, Clyde Pehl (Colleen) of Burnet, and Jeffrey Pehl of Selma.

Gladys has seven grandchildren to whom she was known as Oma: Richard D. "Danny" Hoelscher (Lisa) of Marble Falls; James Hoelscher (Hayley) of San Antonio; Erin Hoelscher of Austin, Matthew McManigle of Dallas, Jacob Pehl of Bozeman, MT; Katherine McManigle of New Braunfels; and, Conner Pehl of Bozeman, MT. She has five great-grandchildren to whom she was known as "Kleine Oma Pehl" because of her charming, short stature: Lila, Josephine, and Landon Hoelscher of Marble Falls; Charlotte and Ella Hoelscher of San Antonio. She delighted in watching them grow.

Gladys is survived by three siblings, Eldon Ray and wife Helen Feller of Doss, Joyce E. Nebgen of Fredericksburg, and Carol E. Kraus of Fredericksburg. Two brothers, Belton "Buddy" Feller and Jarvis D. Feller predeceased her. She also cherished her many nieces and nephews and appreciated their visits and communications.

Gladys grew up in the Crabapple community, attending its country school and church. She learned the value of family, friends, education and work. She helped bring in crops from fields, rode horses and rounded up cattle, sheep and goats alongside her older brother in her youth. She later attended school in Fredericksburg and graduated FHS Class of 1956. She enjoyed their reunions over the decades.

She married Gus on May 22, 1957, in St. Mary's Catholic Church. They loved the hill country and focused on enjoying it while establishing their careers. One of her early jobs was waitressing at Pat's Hall (one of many fun places where the couple would dance) near their life-long home. She also worked for Kilman Studios, color-tinting black and white photos by hand, and Pehl's Flower Shop, making and delivering arrangements. She enjoyed the beauty of floral arranging the rest of her life.

Gladys found her calling with Hill Country Memorial Hospital. She was a 1968 charter member of the Auxiliary, three years prior to the hospital opening in 1971. Gladys and Gus were dedicated to the hospital and its building campaigns. She became an employee in Human Resources in 1976 and retired in 2000 as Admissions Manager. Meanwhile, she continued with the auxiliary on Sundays or evenings. She sewed comfort pillows for hospital outbound patients. She convinced Gus to volunteer upon his retirement too (so they could see each other more, he would say). He drove the trolley. Her last years of volunteer service were in Medical Records and the Perry-Feller building. She was a 50-year volunteer for the hospital.

Other volunteer service included Fredericksburg PTA and its Cookbook Committee, FHS Band Boosters, Fredericksburg Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters, St. Ann's Society, St. Mary's Church ministries, ACTS teams, Friends of Assumption Seminary, and more community organizations.

Gladys received inspiration and strength through devotion to prayer, adoration, small group Bible Study, and regular worship. She and Gus enjoyed meeting clergy and making friends traveling to events, ordinations, and holy places across Texas, the U.S., and Europe, often alongside their youngest child, Father Jeff.

Fond family memories include her Christmas stollen, pumpkin roll (cake), cookie jar, chili, sewing expertise, playing in the family's back or side yard, the home garden, and her dedication to the Apaches, Billies, Aggies, and San Antonio Spurs.

Gladys and her family met many new, compassionate care-giving friends during her last years, including while living at Heritage Place of Fredericksburg, and finally at Knopp Healthcare and Rehab. Methodist Hospital Hill Country, Methodist Hill Country Hospice, her doctors and their teams, were wonderful. There are simply no words to describe our heartfelt admiration for them all.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, February 4 from 12-1:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Fredericksburg. A rosary was prayed at 1:30 p.m. in the church.

Live streaming of the Mass began at 2 P.M. on Wednesday, February 4 at www.fbg.live/schaetters

The Mass of Resurrection was held on Wednesday, February 4 at 2 p.m. in St. Mary's Catholic Church. Graveside services and internment followed at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann's Society, Catholic Daughters, St. Mary's School Endowment Fund, Methodist Hill Country Hospice, or the charity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com

Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Schaetter Funeral Home