Margaret Ruby Wilke passed away the morning of January 1, 2024 peacefully at the age of 94 years old at Knopp Nursing Home where she had resided for the past 13 years. She had developed pneumonia.

Margaret Ruby Schlaudt was born July 9th 1929 to Edward and Edna Treibs Schlaudt of Gillespie County. She became part of the Church and the body of Christ through Holy Baptism on August 11th 1929 at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. Her beliefs were later established and strengthened via Confirmation at Zion Church on April 18th 1943 at the age of 13 years old. Margaret and the love of her life Wilhelm "Bill" Wilke married on June 24th 1950 at Zion Lutheran Church. In her early years, Margaret worked at a local sewing factory where she perfected her love of sewing. She often would be found making clothes, repairing/hemming garments, or helping to stitch quilt tops for friends/family/church donations.

Her and her husband Wilhelm worked and resided at multiple cattle ranches together throughout their lives; he a ranch hand, and her as a homemaker/housekeeper. Many will remember them at the Browder's Ranch or most notably the Smith Ranch along the Guadalupe River in Boerne, Texas where they resided for many happy years. They would later move to Fredericksburg, in their retirement years.

Margaret was a wonderful Wife, Mother, Oma, Great Oma, Cook, and Baker. She had many titles and adored them all. Her heart was pure and she was a true representation of what it meant to love. She loved to make sweet rice, German chocolate cake, bread, and cookies which were loved by everyone. She would often bake "just because" and then share her goods with family, friends, and neighbors. In her spare time, she also liked to travel. She loved to drive her car just to "sight see" or to visit family/friends. When she wasn't driving, she loved to sit in the shade of her front porch and just watch the cars go by on the road. She would often sit in the shade under a tree in her well-manicured yard laughing and telling stories with her sisters/family/friends of past times; usually in German. (Think cackling hens). They would often times be found playing dominoes or cards. She was never really competitive but would play just to play.

Margaret loved to sing and dance; she was always very active and lively. After a brain aneurism in the early 90s, her Doctor told her to walk twice a day and she strictly adhered to these orders. Rain or shine, she exercised/walked a mile or two twice a day. Due to the aneurism, she always said that she could not smell or taste but after exercise, she would often work up an appetite, and be found eating chocolate, cookies, ice-cream, or other sweets.  (I suppose she thought she had earned it for her hard work).

Her home was always tidy as was her car, yard, etc. If things were out of place, it was often times thrown away because if it did not have a place, she did not need it. (including toys that were not put away properly) or seemingly unimportant instructions/bolts/screws/etc. She was a minimalist before minimalism was considered to be cool. Margaret was always full of life, love, positivity, and was always supportive of other's goals. You could not vent or complain to her without her giving her positive words of wisdom; often to include well timed phrases like "just be patient", "something better will come", or "the Lord has a plan".

Margaret was a God loving, church going woman. She made sure her children and grandchildren went to church and Sunday school most every Sunday as well. After her children were grown, she still went to church; up until dementia made it difficult to attend. She enjoyed having a preacher or church member visit while in the nursing home. Everyone loved her smile when visiting.

Margaret is survived by two sons and their spouses: Roland and Samantha Wilke of Harper, TX and Karl and Pam Wilke of Albert, TX; daughter-in-law Teresa Wilke of Fredericksburg, TX; sister; Bernice Klein of Kerrville, Texas; many grandchildren great grandchildren.

She is Preceded in death by her husband Wilhelm R. Wilke; parents Edward and Edna Treibs Schlaudt, brothers; Walter Schlaudt and Martin Schlaudt,  sisters: Norma Kneese and Mary Ann Reeh, son; Glenn Wilke and one grandson.

Her favorite bible verses are:

Psalm 23:4. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me"Romans 6:3-7 "..all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been set free from sin".

Memorial contributions may be made to Votive Hospice, The Alzheimer's association or the charity of one's choice.