Mathilde Clara Rode received the gift of life on February 4, 1925, in Doss, Texas at the home of her parents. She was the only daughter and youngest child of Seth and Selma Neffendorf Rode. Her family was stricken with the flu as was the new baby. Therefore, at the age of two weeks the family feared the infant might not survive and deemed it best to administer an emergency baptism. This was administered by her father in the presence of her mother and grandmothers, Mathilde Wendel Rode and Clara Knopp Neffendorf on February 18, 1925.

Rev L. Hoefer confirmed the baptism in St. Peter's Lutheran Church on March 19,1925. The Bible declares in Luke 18:16, (quoted on the Baptismal Certificate) "But Jesus called to them, 'Permit the children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'"

Mathilde was claimed by God in the waters of Holy Baptism and marked with the cross of Christ forever. She affirmed her baptism and made a public profession of faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on her Confirmation Day, October 30, 1938, with Rev. M. J. Bergner officiating. The memory verse given her was Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believeth, first to the Jews and also to the Greek."

Some of the golden hours of her childhood were spent in Mrs. Rudolph Becker's Sunday School Nursery Class as well as Mrs. Minnie Bergner's primary class where the seed of faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ planted by her parents was nurtured and continued to grow.

Mathilde attended the German Summer Bible Schools conducted by Rev. and Mrs. Rudolph Becker and Rev. and Mrs. M. J. Bergner where she learned to write and read the German script as well as religious instruction. After her confirmation Mathilde was active in Luther League, taught Sunday School and sang with the church choir until her marriage. She was privileged to attend The Church Workers Institute at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin twice and attended the State Luther League Convention.

Mathilde attended Doss School for ten years graduating in a class of eight boys and one girl in 1941. She loved participating in sports while in school, and afterwards. She loved to read and never lost her quest for learning. Other interests included writing, embroidery, crochet, conversing with people she encountered and catching up with family and friends. She also enjoyed listening to good music, singing and growing flowers. She taught herself to type. Following the war, Mathilde found employment in the office of Boening Motor Sales in Fredericksburg for three years.

On February 26, 1949, Mathilde married Ernst Lindig, the only man she ever loved, in St. Peter's Lutheran Church at Doss, Texas, with Rev. Julius Holm officiating. They met while Ernst was teaching school at Doss. In the fall of 1939 Mathilde's parents came home from the Doss store reporting that they had met the young man who was to teach the fourth through seventh grades at Doss for the next year. Mathilde had a strange curiosity to meet this new teacher, but it never occurred to her that she might marry him some day. After all, he was a much older man, all of five years, seven months, that is.

Ernst taught at Doss for two years, then volunteered to join the army during World War II for three and a half years. After their wedding, Mathilde and Ernst made what they thought would be their temporary home in the Post Oak Community in Blanco County, but they resided there for fifty-three years. Christ was the Head of their home, the welcome Guest at every meal and the silent listener to every conversation. Mathilde did not like to send a greeting card of any kind unless it contained a bible verse or God's blessing.

The union of Ernst and Mathilde was blessed with six children, Paul Matthew, Judith Ann, Joan Marie, twins Steven Max and John Seth, and Michael Ernst. Their home was saddened when little Steven Max was taken home to his Heavenly Father at the tender age of six weeks.

Mathilde and Ernst were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church, except for the ten years they were members of Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg. Mathilde was a member of the Miriam Circle, served on the Church Council, various committees, and on Trinity Lutheran Church's 100 ^th Anniversary Committee. She helped write the Centennial History Book.

Mathilde taught her daughters to sew and as a 4-H leader, helped her children and others with 4-H projects. Mathilde, along with Ernst, strongly encouraged and helped all their children to obtain a college education, which they did. She was active in the Johnson City PTA the twenty-nine years her children attended school. She helped compile cookbooks for PTA, 4-H and her church. Tasty and nourishing food, especially fresh vegetables from her garden and peaches from the orchard, were at the top of her priority list, along with delectable desserts. In 2003 Ernst and Mathilde retired and moved into a garage apartment next to their daughter, Judy's family. Mathilde lived there until June of 2018.

Mathilde was a collector of family histories and stories. If you told her about someone you had recently met from the Hill Country, she almost always knew a connection. She thrived on reading the weekly Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post newspaper and relished knowing the stories behind many of the historical landmarks in the area.

Mathilde dearly loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Until only recently, she prayed by name for each of her eighty plus descendants every night. A few weeks ago, Mathilde said she couldn't finish praying the list without falling asleep and asked that her children carry on the tradition. Each one of her "loved ones" now knows what to do. Make a list and consistently pray for the family Mathilde treasured so dearly in her heart.

Survived by:

Children:  Paul Lindig (Jody), Judy Eilers (Mike), Joan Hokanson (Tom), John Lindig (Mary Eilers) and Michael Lindig (Ann Marie)

Grandchildren:  Kim Wheeler (Duke), Vandi Erskine (Neal), Brandon Lindig (Janice), Father Brian Eilers, Bradley Eilers (Susanna), Brent Eilers (Brianna), Michelle Hinckley (Daniel), Melanie Dach (Kevin), Jill Hokanson (Jacob Eickstead), Rachel Hokanson (Perry Hall), Adrian Pruneda (Priscilla), Nathan Lindig (Ashley), Aaron Lindig, Alyssa Lindig

Great-grandchildren:  Derek Hulsey (Kadi), Megan Gauthier (Corey), Justin Wheeler (Caitlyn), Kandace Gaspard (Cody), Garrett Erskine, Joe Medrano (Britani), Jesse Medrano (Dominique), Jennifer Medrano, Joel Medrano, Zachary Eilers, Grace Eilers, Caleb Eilers, Jonathan Eilers, Ezra Eilers, Emersyn Eilers, Elynn Eilers, Everly Eilers, Juan Pablo Hinckley, Emanuel Hinckley, Maria Hinckley, Solanus Hinckley, Joseph Hinckley, Thomas Hinckley, Peter Hinckley, Andrew Dach, Michael Dach, Timothy Dach, Julia Dach, Mathilde Hall, Evelyn Hall, Jaiden Rodriguez, Johnathan Rodriguez, Annalise Pruneda, Avery Pruneda, Thea Lindig

Great-great grandchildren:  Cora Hulsey, Cooper Carney, Daxyn Carney, Hudson Gauthier, Charlie Faye Gaspard, Celeste Medrano, Nevaeh Campos, Adrian Campos, Jalyzza Villarreal

Sister-in-law:  Mary Lindig

Preceded in death by:

Parents: Seth Rode and Selma (nee Neffendorf) Rode

Husband:  Ernst Lindig

Son:  Steven Max Lindig

Brothers and their spouses:  Rupert & Anita Rode, Ewald & Elsa Rode, Martin & Ida Rode

Ernst's siblings and their spouses: Else & Jack Preas, Emilie & Carl Hansen, Werner & Earline Lindig,

Anne Marie & Joe Wallace, Theo Lindig

Pall Bearers are Brandon Lindig, Father Brian Eilers, Bradley Eilers, Brent Eilers, Adrian Pruneda, Nathan Lindig, Aaron Lindig, Derek Hulsey, James Rode.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Kim Wheeler, Vandi Erskine, Michelle Hinckley, Melanie Dach, Jill Hokanson, Rachel Hokanson, Alyssa Lindig, Janice Zitelman.

Funeral services will be  held 11 a.m., Monday, January 10, in Trinity Lutheran Church in Stonewall.

Visitation will be 3-5 p.m., Sunday, January 9, in Fredericksburg Funeral Home and 10-11 a.m., Monday, January 10 in church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or the charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be left at Fredericksburg-funerals.com