Anita K. Garcia passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 18, 2023, four months shy of her 100th birthday. She was strong, independent and healthy for most of her 99 years until the battle with dementia was lost.

Anita was born in Fridolfing, Germany on June 23, 1923 in a beautiful farming community. She excelled in school but was limited in the years of schooling so, as a teenager she became an apprentice to a tailor and learned the skill very well. As World War II impacted her country, her choice for serving in the required "Arbeit Dienzt" (work force) was to work in a factory or to join the German Women's Air Force. She chose the Air Force and served her time in the mountains of Austria as a lookout and never engaged in any combat. After the war, during the American occupation of Germany, she met and married Sgt. Manuel A. Garcia from Palito Blanco, Texas. Speaking little English at the time, she came to the United States, became a citizen and lived a life full of adventures in various cities in Texas; Enid, Oklahoma; Pensacola and Homestead, Florida; Livorno, Italy; Tripoli, Libya and Lima, Peru. As an avid learner she soon acquired skills in Italian, Arabic and Spanish so she could communicate with the locals.

Her husband's military career ended after the Vietnam War so the family settled in Alice, Texas where she lived until her illness and the Covid pandemic required her to leave her home so she could be cared for by her children. Mobility and respiratory issues required a move to an Assisted Living apartment in the North Houston Transitional Care facility where she was loved and cared for by a wonderful staff of nurses and nurses' aides.

Until her eyesight weakened and arthritis affected her fingers, she spent years knitting, crocheting, sewing clothes and making quilts. She was a wonderful cook and was known for delicious German cuisine, her delicious tamales, yeast bread and a delicious assortment of cookies and cakes. Tending her garden was an important part of her daily routine. Flowers blooming year round and trees bearing oranges, grapefruits, lemons, figs and pecans made her happy. Playing Bunco and card games with friends filled many quiet afternoons until she could no longer drive.

Anita learned housekeeping skills at an early age in Germany and then spent most of her life as a homemaker. Anita was employed by the Alice I.S.D. for ten years as a food service worker in various Elementary schools.

Anita is survived by her three children: Manuel and his wife, Kay; Diana and Ricardo; five grandchildren and their spouses: Michelle Evans (Ryan); Kevin Marion; Ricky Garcia (Danielle); Andrew Garcia; and Nicholas Norem and two great-grandchildren: Ethan Evans and Tessa Evans. She was also blessed with a bonus "Marion" family (who referred to her as "Oma") John; Cana and her sons, Coleman and Matthew; Spencer and his wife Sandra and daughters, Elizabeth and Kendra. In Germany she has one brother, Ferdinand Schrock, still living and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Everyone will miss her and prays that she has eternal peace in her final resting place back in her homeland, Germany.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, leading in research, care and support of all affected by the disease..... https://www.alz.org.