She was born on November 2, 1929 in Fashing, Texas to JT and Mary (née Schwab) Henke. Gladys was predeceased by her parents, husband Freddie A. Niemann, sisters Lorene Amerson and Bernice Flieller, brothers Elo Henke and Elroy Henke, and son-in-law Joel Wattigny.
Gladys always loved learning from an early age, especially science and math, and was determined to go to college. She entered Incarnate Word College in San Antonio at the age of 16 and majored in chemistry and math. In the 1950s after graduating from college, Gladys worked as a chemist at Corps of Engineers in Dallas, Texas and later at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas where she was on a team that assisted with developing plastic polymers and compounds for use in the space program. In addition, during this time she was selected to attend a special summer math program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Later, in San Antonio, Gladys began teaching so she could inspire others with her joy of math, an often uphill task.
Gladys married Freddie Niemann on April 4, 1959 and traveled with him to North Africa and other overseas locations for several years. After returning to the states in the 1960s and living in San Antonio, Texas for a few years, she and her family ultimately settled in Corpus Christi, Texas where she was a math teacher for over 25 years, the majority of the years at Hamlin Junior High. Upon retirement from teaching, Gladys indulged her math skills and passion for numbers by working for H&R Block until she was 80 years old and finally actually retired. Naturally, she did not stop there and began to learn how to use the computer and the internet to pay her bills online, discovered google, and learned how to shop online (though her actual understanding of how it all worked lagged a bit behind). Throughout her life in Corpus Christi, Gladys was very active in church activities such as the Altar & Rosary Society, Caring Friends, Autumn Leaves and various prayer groups. Her Catholic faith was an important part of her life and identity.
Gladys had a joy of life and taught her children to always find the good or bright side in events, things and people, even if it was not always obvious; although, that did not mean she suffered fools lightly. She retained superb command of “teacher voice”. She also could not help ‘assisting’ when she overheard conversations in public where she thought she could help, which was always slightly embarrassing to her children, who are now embarrassing their own children with that same habit. Gladys encouraged her children and made sure they were exposed to a variety of activities and ideas. She was always supportive of her children’s ambitions and goals, though she also wanted to make sure there was “something to fall back on” while they were getting there. Her sense of humor was corny and occasionally sly. Gladys also loved her granddaughters and liked spending time with them and watching as they grew up.
Gladys is survived by her children, Mary Helen Niemann, Charlotte Wattigny, Andrew F. Niemann and his wife Jo Lynn; granddaughters, Karly Schlievert and Hannah Niemann; sister Lillian Siemering; brother James Henke; sisters-in-law Mamie Henke and Ginger Henke; brother-in-law Melvin Flieller; and numerous nieces and nephews. Gladys also had a special relationship with her sister- and brother-in-law Evelyn and Charles Holzmann.
The family would also like to thank Dr. John E. Schulze for his care of Gladys throughout the years and CHRISTUS Spohn Hosptial – Shoreline for their kindness and caring during her stay.
Visitation is Friday, July 13, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 8200 Old Brownsville Rd, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415. A Holy Rosary will be recited that same evening at 7:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 3350 S. Alameda St, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78411 with interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
