Irene Gaebler Grote of Fredericksburg, TX died in the Knopp II Nursing Home on August 29, 2026 at the age of 102 years, 10 months, and 17 days. She was born October 12, 1923 to Robert and Anita Kunde Gaebler. She was the oldest of three children, Anita Lucille and Charles William followed. She grew up on a ranch west of Yorktown, TX. Irene attended a 2-room country school in Garfield, TX. She attended this school through the eighth grade. She then went to Yorktown High School.

She attended college at Texas Lutheran Junior College and Southwest Texas State Teachers College. She graduated and became a homemaking teacher in Fredericksburg, Texas for 3 years. She met and married Frederick Norman Grote on June 21, 1947. Irene and Frederick had 4 children, Frederick Norman Jr., Jo Frances, Jane, and Glen. When Glen was 6, Irene received a job offer in Johnson City, TX, where she taught for 25 years.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Frederick Grote, by her oldest son, Frederick Norman Jr., and by her sister Anita Lucille, Klein, and her brother, C. W. Gaebler.

Irene had 4 children, 20 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

Irene loved her family. Most summers she would host several grandchildren and then have cousins come play all around them. She would teach them to cook and sew. She loved her career. She was also the faculty advisor over the pep squad. After retiring, she became an avid quilter.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 5, 2026 from 8-10:00am followed by the funeral at 10:00am at Fredericksburg Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Jeremiah White, Brigham White, Adam White, Will Grote,

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Leland Hunt, and Alexander Hunt. Alternate pallbearers will be Dan O’Hair

Kent Hunt, Robert Hunt, Ray Kralj Will Tomlinson, and Patrick Hohman.

Memorials may be made to the Willow City Volunteer Fire Dept, MD Anderson Hospital, or the charity of your choice.