Gertrude Best

Gertrude Best went home to Heaven on September 15, 2011. She was born on December 30, 1914 in Falls County, Texas to Rev. Henry P. Studtmann and Carolina (Samp) Studtmann. She was baptized by her father on February 7, 1915 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riesel.

In 1926 Gertrude's family moved to Austin when her father became the first president of what was then Concordia Lutheran College, now Concordia University Texas. In April, 1928 she was confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Austin. She married Jesse E. Best, Sr. on March 3, 1939 at St. Paul. They were married almost 54 years before Jesse's death in 1993. For 25 years Gertrude was a buyer for Scarbroughs department store. After retiring from Scarbroughs she worked for 14 years as bookkeeper in her brother's business, Studtman Photo Service.

Gertrude is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jesse, and seven siblings: Rev. Max Studtmann, Clara Meyer, Henry Studtman, Carl Studtmann, Dorothy Walle, Rev. Martin Studtmann, and Eric Studtmann.

Gertrude is survived by her son, Jesse “Mike” Best, Jr. and his wife Joyce, of Austin. She is also survived by two beloved grandchildren and their families: Brady and Elizabeth Best and children Scotlyn and Kyler of Round Rock; Carey and Shannon Best and children Abigail and Porter, of Austin. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends.

The family expresses special thanks to the staff at Heatherwilde Assisted Living in Pflugerville for their love and care, and also to Odyssey Hospice.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20, at Hope Lutheran Church in Austin, followed by the funeral service at 10:00 a.m.

Memorial gifts may be made to Hope Lutheran Church (6414 North Hampton, Austin 78723) or to the Henry and Caroline Studtmann Family Scholarship Endowment (Lutheran Foundation of Texas, 7900 East Highway 290, Austin 78724).

To share memories of Gertrude with her family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com