Mildred Louise (Gruben) Thieme

Mildred Louise (Gruben) Thieme went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, July 19, 2019. Mildred was born on June 11, 1936, in Aspermont, Texas, to Danie and Pearl Gruben. She was the fifth of seven children. Danie and Pearl set godly examples for their children, raising them on biblical principles, always trusting God to provide for their needs. The family were cotton farmers in Rotan, Texas and active members of Cross Roads Baptist Church.

The summer of 1950, Mildred visited her sister Carol, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She got a job as a cashier at H.E. Butt Grocery Company. One night she needed a ride home from work, Bert offered her a ride home, which led to their first date and many dates after that. Bert and Mildred married October 18, 1952 at Cross Roads Baptist Church in Rotan Texas. Bert was 18 and Mildred was 16.

After Mildred graduated from W. B. Ray High School, she became a telephone switchboard operator with Southwestern Bell. She worked in various positions throughout the company and served for 21 years. She worked as an insurance clerk for many years and was a dedicated worker who was greatly loved and appreciated.

In her retirement, Mildred found her new calling. She was a very talented seamstress, crochet artist and all around crafter. Through her church, she loved and ministered to many, many people during their illness and hospital stay. She and her sister, Carol, served together by bringing a cheerful smile, a gift that they had crafted, words of encouragement and their prayers. Heaven only knows how many lives they touched through this ministry!

Bert and Mildred were married for 66 years, 4 months, and 15 days. She was a wonderful helpmate to him. They spent very little time apart. They instilled Christian values in their children by reading the Bible, spending time in prayer, and serving wherever God led them. They lived the first 64 years of their marriage in Corpus Christi, Texas. They moved to San Antonio in January of 2017. They were members of Shearer Hills Baptist Church.

She loved Jesus Christ and gave testimony of the strength and love that she received from Him. Mildred loved her friends well and they loved her. She never knew a stranger. She was kind and friendly to everyone that she met.

Mildred loved her family and was very proud of each one of them. She especially enjoyed her roles as Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. She attended their sporting events, parties, graduations and weddings. She was always looking for ways to show her love to them.

Mildred was proceeded in death by her parents, Danie and Pearl Gruben, her brother, Lindsey Gruben, brother, Eugene Gruben, sister, Irene Clawson and her beloved husband, Bert.

She is survived by two sons, Larry Thieme (wife Karen), Bert Thieme, Jr., both of Corpus Christi; and daughter Sandra Bradbury (husband Gerald), from San Antonio; sister Carol Edwards of Corpus Christi; sister Loneta Williams of Longview; and brother D. Laveral Gruben, (wife Alice) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Mildred and Bert had 8 grandchildren: Michael Thieme (wife Sarah); Brian Thieme (wife Amber); Johnny Thieme (wife Sasha); Greg Thieme (wife Theron); Sarah Speegle (husband Zachary); Mark Bradbury; Joshua Thieme; and Katherine Thieme. Mildred’s grandsons will be the pallbearers.

The couple also shared 14 great-grandchildren; Olivia Kies, Bode Thieme, Brynlee Thieme, Brylee Thieme, Elijah Williams Thieme, Soniya Williams Thieme, BrayLynn Williams Thieme, Juliana Thieme, Liam Thieme, Mikaela Speegle, Elijah Speegle, Josiah Speegle, Samuel Speegle and Talitha Speegle.