Patsy Ruth Trahan Lueders went to be with her Lord on Sunday, September 7, 2025. She was born in Pine Ridge, Hardin County, Texas on June 26, 1935. She was the daughter of Gus Henry Trahan and Nannie Elizabeth Minter Trahan. At age 4 the family moved to New Iberia, Louisiana for her father’s work with Oil Drilling Co. While growing up she was actively involved in the Youth Groups in First Baptist Church in New Iberia. In high school, she was active in the Drill Team, co-editor of the school newspaper and National Honor Society. She graduated from New Iberia High School in 1953 as the Valedictorian. Upon graduation, she went to nursing school at Lilly Jolly School of Nursing, Baptist Hospital in Houston, Texas. She held several offices while in school and graduated with honors in 1956. She met Harry “Jim” Lueders in Houston at a Career Young Adult Fellowship at First Baptist Church. He was in Flight School at Ellington Air Base, and he graduated as a Navigator to fly in B-29’s.
They were married on March 17, 1956, at the First Baptist Church in New Iberia, Louisiana. He was assigned to Bergstrom Airforce Base in Austin. She worked in Austin as a surgical nurse at St. David’s Hospital. In November 1957, her husband was discharged from active duty and they moved to Victoria, where he was Assistant County Agent. She then worked at DeTar Hospital until they moved to College Station when Jim went to Veterinary School at Texas A&M. While Jim was at Texas A&M University, Patsy worked at the Veterinary School as a Lab Assistant and later worked at the A&M College Hospital. After graduation as Doctor of Veterinary medicine, Jim worked for the Department of Agriculture in South Texas, and they lived in Alice, Texas. While there, Patsy worked at the Alice Hospital.
After two years, they made the move to Victoria, where he opened a small animal clinic. Patsy returned to work at DeTar Hospital for 8 years as Supervisor of Surgery. An opportunity to move to Public Health Nursing became available and she worked at Victoria County Health Department for the next twenty-two years as a Communicable Disease Specialist. She was recognized for her outstanding work at a special awards ceremony in Austin by the Director of the Texas Department of Health in 1996. After retiring from the health department, she worked part-time for Citizen’s Hospital Ask-A-Nurse Program. During her working years as a nurse she was active in the District 20 Nursing Association and held several offices over the years. She was a member of First Baptist Church and Northside Baptist Church where she taught Bible classes and was in the choir. She was also active in Women’s organizations. She led Sunday School classes and Bible studies for over 60 years, and last taught a Thursday Morning Bible Study. Her hobbies were reading, skiing, attending family events, listening to good music, traveling and storytelling. Her storytelling was usually about her Cajun roots, and would involve Boudreaux and Thibodeaux.
She is survived by her sons, David Allen Lueders and wife, Brenda, and Douglas Arthur Lueders and wife, Judy; grandchildren, Lauren Harner (David), Jon Lueders (Caitlin), Meghan Stoddard (Jordan), Matthew Lueders (Christina), Mitchell Lueders (Paige); great-grandchildren, Genevieve and Charlotte Stoddard, Hadley and Hampton Harner, Elliott, Blaire and Hagen Lueders, Brooks and Beckham Lueders; and sister-in-laws, Lorice Trahan, Betty Keener, Billie Williams and Muriel Lueders. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry “Jim” Lueders; parents, Gus and Nan Trahan; and brother, John Trahan.
Visitation will be held Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 9-10 AM, immediately followed by Funeral services at 10 AM, all at Colonial Funeral Home. The family will hold a graveside service at Pitman Cemetery in Muldoon, Texas at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to STCH Ministries (South Texas Children's Home).
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com.
