Frances Louise Oertli

Frances Nowotny Ferguson Oertli of New Braunfels, passed away with her daughters by her side on January 4, 2018, at the Heartland Health Skilled Nursing Center in Austin, Texas, at the age of 84. She was born January 5, 1933, in New Braunfels. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frances (Dial) and E.P. Nowotny, her sister, Hilda Elizabeth Nowotny, and her husband, Freddie R. Oertli, all of New Braunfels. She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Ferguson Hernandez and husband Lazaro of Austin, and Elizabeth Ferguson Smith and husband Forrester of San Antonio; four grandchildren, Jennifer Hernandez Buckley and husband Steve, Brian Hernandez, Shara Ticku of New York, and Leslie Ticku of New York; three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Jackson, and Samantha Lillie Buckley. A 1950 graduate of New Braunfels High School, Frances served as the Year Book Editor, DAR Representative, member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, and President of the Future Homemakers Club. As a 1953 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Texas Christian University, she continued her leadership roles as a member of Student Congress, Vice-President of the Student Body, and was voted Outstanding Senior Girl at T.C.U. As a lifelong learner, she went back to school and graduated in 1967 from Southwest Texas State University with a degree in English and Education, in 1974 with a Masters of Education in Counseling and Guidance from Southwest Texas State University, and in 1974 from Texas A&M University (College Station) with Vocational Counseling Certification. Frances served as a teacher and counselor most of her career with Comal I.S.D., and later with East Central I.S.D. She had the privilege of being the very first Vocational Counselor for Comal I.S.D., and was recruited to be the first Academic Counselor for Smithson Valley High School. Frances was devoted to family, friends, church, and country. She was a long time member of the Republican Women’s Club of Comal County, Gay Forties, Soiree, Super-Club, was a Girl Scout Leader, church school teacher, and served on numerous church positions. In recent years, she was an avid Bridge, Mahjong, and Dominos player. Frances enjoyed playing any kind of board games with family and friends, but most especially with her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling, dancing, and reading. Above all else, however, was her interest in home and family. Frances, amazingly kind and loving, will forever live in the hearts and memories of family and her many friends. Memorial services are scheduled for 11:30 AM on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church Chapel.