Ida Hahn Pirkle

Ida Hahn Pirkle, 98, of Gonzales, passed away Saturday, April 22. Ida was born March 28, 1919 in DeWitt County to Stephen Hahn and Annie Baker Hahn. She married Arlie Ray Pirkle on May 10, 1934 in Gonzales. She attended Emmanuel Fellowship Church and had been a member of the VFW Post 4817 Auxiliary.

Ida was born and raised in DeWitt County where her family survived as agricultural workers and faced difficult times during the depression era, an occupation that was complicated further by the dust bowl of the mid 1930’s burying agriculture in clouds of dust. These hardships only made Ida stronger. She learned to sew and worked as a seamstress for J.Q. Shorts Cleaners in Gonzales. Her expertise developed quite naturally working at the cleaners so Ida went to work as an independent seamstress. Ida was driven to better herself; she learned to read by studying the Bible. As her reading skills advanced, so did her appetite for reading books of all genres. She carefully worked on building her vocabulary and very soon Ida became an articulate conversationalist. She also developed an opinion and had no difficulty in sharing her thoughts on any given matter swiftly and clearly. Ida enjoyed the arts and music, she taught herself to play the piano, and though she never learned to read music, she could play the piano magnificently by ear. Ida frequently played the piano in her church for Sunday worship services.

Ida and Arlie never had any children of their own until Ida’s niece Barbara came to stay with them. Ida and Arlie showered Barbara with love and treated her as if she was their own. Ida was a very loving woman and she was extremely loyal to family. She adored babies and family members could always expect a hug and a kiss. She was a wonderful cook and memories of her delicious chili and tamales linger in the memories of her family. In reality all one need do is sit down at her table and enjoy the tasty pleasures of her cooking. She maintained an immaculate home as cleanliness was always on the forefront of her “to do” list. Throughout her life it was her faith that guided her and at times carried her through trying times. Certainly the words of Proverbs 31 hold a reward for Ida’s life work, “Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Ida Pirkle is survived by her beloved niece, Barbara Jean Klein of LaGrange, beloved great-niece and nephews, Brenda Basquette of Pecos, Samuel Ray Klein (Lynn) of Kempner, David Jay Klein (Inna) of Corpus Christi, sister-in-law, Alice Pirkle of Gonzales, and numerous other loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, Grace Pirkle, brothers, Newt, Ward, Marle, Andy and Stanley Hahn.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 25 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Rev. Lynn Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Gonzales Memorial Park. Pall bearers will be Thomas Pirkle, Gaury Pirkle, Stan Hahn, Will Hahn, Sam Klein, and David Klein. The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday morning prior to the funeral service. In lieu of usual remembrances memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. Condolences may be left online at www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com.