Nellie Saage

Nellie Pechal Saage was born December 12, 1925 to Joseph and Antonia Pechal in Oenaville, Texas. She was the youngest of five daughters. She died on March 7, 2014 surrounded by the love of her daughters and best friend. Nellie graduated from Bartlett High School and attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Texas State University). She married Reno Saage in Bartlett on November 21, 1945. Nellie spent most of her working career as a bookkeeper for Ford dealerships in Bartlett.

Nellie cherished her family and friends of whom she had many. She adored her grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to observe their school and sports activities. She was a loyal supporter of the Bartlett Bulldogs, which came naturally after having been married for over 50 years to the Bulldogs’ most avid fan. She was an outstanding seamstress and expressed her creativity through sewing. She loved to cook and bake throughout her life, baking her own birthday cake at age 9. She made the best fried chicken and the best homemade ice cream. Many people were the recipients of the homemade bread and quick breads she baked for others until her final illness.

Nellie was a woman of great faith. Her church and her faith were central to her life. She demonstrated a true servant spirit, reaching out to and caring for others throughout her life. She and her best friend Joyce White co-founded a food ministry that became Food For Friends. They began by serving 7 meals to persons in need in the Bartlett area. Food for Friends now prepares and delivers over 150 meals every Friday. Nellie served her church in many ways. She managed the Good Samaritan fund until her final illness.

Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Reno, sisters Pat Chudej, Olga Babovec, Libbye Stefka and Lillian Guenzel and by her beloved grandson Matthew Moore. Her daughters Susan Thomson and husband Tom of Pflugerville, Texas and Debra Moore and husband Butch of Temple, grandson Jordan Moore and wife Kate of Richardson, Texas, granddaughter Cathy Payne and husband Mike and great-grandson Jesse Payne of Bartlett and three generations of nieces and nephews survive her.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, March 11 at First United Methodist Church, 645 West Clark Street in Bartlett. Visitation will be at 6:00 PM on Monday, March 10 at 505 East Bell in Bartlett. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Food for Friends, 13200 FM 972, Granger, Texas 76530 or First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 44, Bartlett, Texas 76511. Arrangements under the direction of Goodnight Funeral Home, Bartlett, TX.