Obituary for Robert "Bobby" Freitag
Robert “Bobby” Freitag beloved father, grandfather and uncle slipped peacefully into the hands of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 6, 2022 and is reunited with the love of his life, Mary Ann. Bobby was born on March 10, 1937, in La Vernia, Texas, to Elsie Lenz and Gussie Freitag.
At an early age Bobby knew the strength and love of family, having his father vanish from their lives in his early childhood, his mom and two siblings (Irene and Virgil) lived with their Lenz grandparents in La Vernia, Texas where he was surrounded by love from his mom, siblings, uncles, aunts, and cousins. This set and taught him the foundation of the importance of family.
Bobby received his early education at St. James Catholic school in Seguin, Texas where he was embraced by the fostering family love from Mr. & Mrs. Jandt, whose compassion and care were endless. His strengthened family bond and love for his mother and siblings led him back home where he then attended Brackenridge High School and was a member of the Student Council and National Honor Society. After high school he enlisted in the Navy where he served four years and became Petty Officer First Class in charge of operations and spent his last three years of service on a Destroyer in charge of recovering mercury space capsules. His Navy years were some of his most cherished where traveling the world led to many friendships before returning back to Texas. This is where he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Ott, started a family and a new career journey with Central Freight Lines where he retired after 34 years and went on to start his own family business “Freitag Transportation”. His devotion and hard work led to build a business that he was so greatly proud of and his business legacy continues on today, run by his son.
Bobby’s education, career and travels were a blessing, but his ultimate testimony to a life well lived was to serve others and his love for his faith and family were ultimate. Bobby and Mary Ann’s faith was a blessing that they cherished together. Their generous giving spirits and faith were instilled mantra in his family, and with his wife by his side, their faith had no boundaries as he was instrumental in seeking the Archbishops’ approval to build a much needed bigger church - St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, where he went on to serve as President of Saint Vincent DePaul, President of the Parish Council, Eucharistic Minister, Usher and CYO coordinator. Bobby and Mary Ann’s faith were the foundation for their love of their family.
His pride and joy were his children and grandchildren; his home thrived on chaos. Bobby paid little attention to titles, but one of his favorite monikers was “Grandpa Bob,” and his eyes lit up when one of his grandchildren entered the room. Nothing prevented him from teasing or sharing a bit of wisdom, and his values resonate strongly with his family today.
We were blessed with his endless love, faith and giving to all he met during his 85 years of life. His love and legacy will continue with his surviving children, Dudley Freitag (Norma), Wyann Skloss (Larry), Stacey Freitag, Lynae Kotara (Patrick), Kervin Freitag, Jason Freitag, Melissa Mikolajczyk, Leonard Gerlich (Lauren) and Shirley Gerlich-Tucker; 21 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, with 2 on the way, 3 brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 5:00-6:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at Finch Funeral Home, 13767 Hwy. 87, La Vernia, Texas. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 10, 2022, at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church 14011 FM 1346, St. Hedwig, TX with Rev. Bill officiating. Burial will follow at Annunciation Cemetery. Online guestbook may be signed at www.finchfuneralchapels.com
At an early age Bobby knew the strength and love of family, having his father vanish from their lives in his early childhood, his mom and two siblings (Irene and Virgil) lived with their Lenz grandparents in La Vernia, Texas where he was surrounded by love from his mom, siblings, uncles, aunts, and cousins. This set and taught him the foundation of the importance of family.
Bobby received his early education at St. James Catholic school in Seguin, Texas where he was embraced by the fostering family love from Mr. & Mrs. Jandt, whose compassion and care were endless. His strengthened family bond and love for his mother and siblings led him back home where he then attended Brackenridge High School and was a member of the Student Council and National Honor Society. After high school he enlisted in the Navy where he served four years and became Petty Officer First Class in charge of operations and spent his last three years of service on a Destroyer in charge of recovering mercury space capsules. His Navy years were some of his most cherished where traveling the world led to many friendships before returning back to Texas. This is where he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Ott, started a family and a new career journey with Central Freight Lines where he retired after 34 years and went on to start his own family business “Freitag Transportation”. His devotion and hard work led to build a business that he was so greatly proud of and his business legacy continues on today, run by his son.
Bobby’s education, career and travels were a blessing, but his ultimate testimony to a life well lived was to serve others and his love for his faith and family were ultimate. Bobby and Mary Ann’s faith was a blessing that they cherished together. Their generous giving spirits and faith were instilled mantra in his family, and with his wife by his side, their faith had no boundaries as he was instrumental in seeking the Archbishops’ approval to build a much needed bigger church - St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, where he went on to serve as President of Saint Vincent DePaul, President of the Parish Council, Eucharistic Minister, Usher and CYO coordinator. Bobby and Mary Ann’s faith were the foundation for their love of their family.
His pride and joy were his children and grandchildren; his home thrived on chaos. Bobby paid little attention to titles, but one of his favorite monikers was “Grandpa Bob,” and his eyes lit up when one of his grandchildren entered the room. Nothing prevented him from teasing or sharing a bit of wisdom, and his values resonate strongly with his family today.
We were blessed with his endless love, faith and giving to all he met during his 85 years of life. His love and legacy will continue with his surviving children, Dudley Freitag (Norma), Wyann Skloss (Larry), Stacey Freitag, Lynae Kotara (Patrick), Kervin Freitag, Jason Freitag, Melissa Mikolajczyk, Leonard Gerlich (Lauren) and Shirley Gerlich-Tucker; 21 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, with 2 on the way, 3 brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 5:00-6:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at Finch Funeral Home, 13767 Hwy. 87, La Vernia, Texas. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 10, 2022, at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church 14011 FM 1346, St. Hedwig, TX with Rev. Bill officiating. Burial will follow at Annunciation Cemetery. Online guestbook may be signed at www.finchfuneralchapels.com