Irene P. Gotthardt Evans Henze, age 89 of Seguin, passed away on November 22, 2015. She was born in Staples, TX on October 4, 1926 to Ernest and Pearl (Linebarger) Gotthardt. Having grown up in a farming community, she spent many summers working with her siblings, Donald and Jody, in the cotton fields. Later, while attending high school at Prairie Lea, Irene worked as the book keeper at the Staples Cotton Gin. She graduated from Prairie Lea High School in 1944. During that summer she met Frank Evans at the Comal County Fair. They married on August 1, 1945. The couple was blessed with a daughter, Teresa, in 1947. The family moved to Seguin in 1950, first living in town, and then purchasing a small house on Lake Abbott (now Lake McQueeney). Irene began her career with Civil Service at Kelly Air Force in 1949. She later transferred to Randolph Air Force Base where she worked as a Supervisor in Base Supply until her retirement in 1981.

After the death of Frank in 1982, Irene opened the Clothes Rak dress shop in Seguin. During this same period, she enjoyed playing 9-pin bowling at the Barbarossa Bowling Club. There, she met her second husband, Jerome. Jerome and Irene dedicated much of their time to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Seguin Noon Lions. As a dedicated Life Member of the VFW, with over 60 years of service, Irene served 10 different terms as District President and 24 consecutive years as Auxiliary President, McQueeney VFW Post 9213, a position she held until her death. She was a champion of the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program and spent much of her time promoting the essay contest at public and private High Schools in the Seguin and Geronimo areas. Supporting our Nation's veterans was a cause dear to her heart. She loved spending time in the kitchen baking goodies for delivery to Audie Murphy VA Hospital and could be found rain or shine outside local businesses in May and November promoting the Buddy Poppy program. She also volunteered with Stuff the Bus, the Salvation Army Ring the Bell, and coordinating bingo and special events at local nursing homes.

"Maw" was highly devoted to her family and friends. She was a true Gem and will be truly missed by everyone whose life she touched. She always put the well-being and happiness of others before her own.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 36 years Frank L. Evans; husband of 24 years, Jerome M. Henze; her parents; brother Donald Gotthardt; sister Mary Jo Preston; son-in-law Nelson R. Schneider; step grandson Karl Gallagher. Irene is survived by her daughter Teresa Schneider Kramer and husband Randy; grandchildren Brett Schneider and wife Caroline, Dawn Vincent and husband Shawn; Glenda Wall and husband Rob, Donna Davis and husband Alan; great-grandchildren Grayson, Taylor, Chase, Anthony, Alyssa and husband Ty, Austin, Rob, and Kristen; great-great granddaughter Emersyn; step children Karl Henze and wife Jeannie, Kay Gundermann and husband Fred, Kristina Gallagher and husband John; step grandchildren Kyle, John, Jenny, Tori, Brian; step-great grandchildren Arianna and William; sister-in-law, Blanche Gotthardt; brother-in-law, Calvin Henze and wife Irene; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.

Visitation will be on Sunday, November 29, 2015 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 30, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Ron Welborn and Chaplain Bernie Roach officiating. A reception will follow at the McQueeney VFW Post 9213. Private interment will follow at a later date at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park.
Memorial Donations can be made to the VFW National Home for Children, 3573 South Waverly Road, Eaton Rapids, Michigan 48827 VFWnationalhome.org or to the charity of one's choice.