Our beloved Cordula journeyed to heaven in the early morning hours of Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. Cordula lived 91 eventful years. The rosary services will held at 6 p.m. Monday, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. The burial Mass, led by Father Tom Barley, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The burial will follow in the St. Ambrose Cemetery. Cordula was born at home, in Olfen, Texas on Sept. 22, 1922. She was the 6th of 10 children to Mathilda and AW Strube, Sr. The Strubes farmed in Olfen and Rowena. They settled the large family in the Wall area in 1933, and were founding members of the St. Ambrose Catholic Church. The Strube family included these children and in-laws: Otto and Olga Strube, Bill and Olivia Schwertner, Gilbert and Sally Strube, Alice and RB Wilde, Florence and Valeria Wilde, Edwin Joe Wilde (Cordula's husband), Florine and Virgil Gray, Margaret and AW Strube Jr., Marvin and Mildred Strube, and Daniel and Sherline Strube. Florine, Margaret, Daniel and Sherline are the surviving members of this large family, complete with "cousins by the dozens." Cordula attended Wall school through the 10th grade and graduated from San Angelo High School. Cordula continued her education and received a teaching degree from San Angelo Junior College. She taught one year at a little place called Silver Peak. She worked as a payroll clerk at Goodfellow Field for two years. Cordula was fluent in three languages-English, Spanish and German.

Cordula married Edwin Joe Wilde on July 8, 1946. Cordula made her own wedding dress, because she was a good seamstress. Her father did not give any of his daughters away at the weddings because he said he wanted the girls to feel like they could always come home. Cordula and Edwin farmed land in Wall and Millersview. They were proud pioneers of the St. Lawrence community. Cordula's mother taught all her girls "to sew, cook and can things from the garden." The Wildes celebrated over 50 years of marriage.

Edwin passed away on Jan. 7, 2003. Her daughter, Melanie Wilde Franklin, died August 14, 2001. Cordula was of the generation who endured two world wars, the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. She lived life to the fullest: forever young and loving to her family and friends. Cordula was a Charter Member of the St. Catherine of Sienna CDA and served as Grand Regent twice. Cordula loved and lived her faith. She enjoyed her friends in the quilting guild, the bunco group and, later, the Golden Girls.

Cordula and Edwin are the parents of four children/spouses: John and Betty Jo Wilde, Melanie (deceased) and Rusty Franklin, Don and Ruth Wilde and Dale and Laura Wilde. The grandsons will serve as pallbearers: Doug and Matt Wilde, Jed and Casey Franklin, Dee Jay Wilde, and Blaise & Harrison Wilde. The granddaughters will bring the gifts during the burial Mass: Julia Garcia and Joanna Wilde and Betsy Franklin and Joslynn Wilde. Cordula has four "grand in-laws": Sarah Wilde, Jerry Garcia, Ashley Franklin and Erica Franklin. Cordula adored her two great-granddaughters, Caroline and Anna Kate Wilde. Cordula was able to live at her home "one mile west of Wall."

She was blessed by the love of these caretakers: Christina Rojo, Diana Hernandez, Sandra Chappa, Cindy Cantu, Annie Ornelas, Melissa Blanco and Juanita Arroyo and others. The family wishes to thank the staff at Shannon Hospital for the many years of care for our Cordula. Recently, the 5th floor doctors (Dr. Stuart Smith), nurses and staff prolonged her life for her grandchildren to arrive for the final prayers. Dr. Denver C. Marsh Jr., and Carol Brokaw treated Cordula (and Edwin) for decades. It is because of their dedication to Cordula's health the grandchildren could enjoy her. We thank you for your devotion to our Cordula.

Published in GoSanAngelo from Nov. 17 to Nov. 18, 2013
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