Loretta Eilers

Loretta Vogel Eilers went home to be with our Lord on February 5, 2024. Loretta was born in Jacob, Illinois, to A. G. Vogel and Mathilda (Moeckel) Vogel on January 3, 1931. Loretta was the youngest of 8 children. She moved with her parents to Mercedes, TX, in 1943 after a devastating flood in Illinois. She graduated from Mercedes High School in 1949 and was then employed by Hidalgo County Bank. Loretta married Robert Eilers, the love of her life, on October 15, 1950. They were partners in every way for 71 years, and both felt their greatest accomplishment was raising their two children, Kenneth and Connie. They were actively involved with all their formative years instilling in them the importance of faith in God, a good education and the value of hard work. Loretta joined Robert in the hardware business in 1966 as secretary and bookkeeper, and in 1969 they became the new owners of Borderland Hardware of Mercedes. Side by side they worked together for 55 years. Loretta was a lifelong active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church serving as Sunday-School teacher, member of choir, Altar Guild, Mary Martha Guild and church bookkeeper. Aid Association for Lutherans was dear to her, an organization helping various individuals and groups in Mercedes. She was a volunteer serving on the Mercedes Library Board, Chamber of Commerce, and the RGV Livestock Show where she compiled scrapbooks for 25 years. New friendships were made when she joined Beta Sigma Phi. Loretta loved sewing clothes for her family, making embroidery and cross-stich keepsakes, and compiling yearly family scrapbooks and photo albums. She was blessed to watch her 4 grandchildren grow into responsible adults and then had the thrill of being a great-grandmother and enjoy the 7 little ones. She felt life was a gift, and left a legacy of faith, love, caring, and a Godly example. Loretta is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and 7 siblings-brothers- Eugene, Marvin, Eddie, and Herb Vogel, sisters-Ruth Neuhaus, Lela Hempy, and Ruby Dillon. She is survived by children, Kenneth (Debbie) Eilers of Mercedes and Connie Gatlin of Dallas, grandchildren, Terese (Mike) Volkmann, Kyle (Candice) Eilers, Greg (Ashley) Gatlin and Doug Gatlin, great-grandchildren, Claire and Samuel Volkmann, Camden, Kade, and Peyton Rose Eilers, Ember Leigh and Londyn Rayne Gatlin. The family would like to thank Valley View Assisted Living, Harlingen Medical Center, Sun Valley Rehab and DHR Hospice Hospital for their help in Loretta’s recent illness. Lisa Campos was her loving caregiver these past 2 months. Pallbearers are Kyle Eilers, Greg Gatlin, Doug Gatlin, Mike Volkmann, Don Vogel and Earl Neuhaus. Honorary Pallbearers are present employees of Borderland Hardware of Mercedes. Memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, 703 W. 3rd Street, Mercedes, TX, 78570, would be most welcome. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 11, 2024, from 6-8:00 pm (prayer service at 7:30pm) at the Rudy Garza Funeral Home in Mercedes, TX. Funeral service will be held Monday, February 12, 2024, at 10:00 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mercedes, TX, with Pastor Ed Weber officiating. Graveside services will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Mercedes, TX. All services are under the direction and care of Rudy Garza Funeral Home of Mercedes, Texas.

Loretta Eilers

January 3, 1931 - February 5, 2024

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