Gloria Ann Hanath

Gloria “Puppa” Hinze Hanath, 87, of Brenham, Texas, passed away December 23, 2025 on the Eve of Christmas Eve. She was born on June 5, 1938, in Burton, Texas, to Elmo and Annie (Rybarski) Hinze. Gloria was baptized, confirmed, and married at Martin Luther Lutheran Church of Carmine, Texas.

On February 16, 1958, Gloria married the love of her life, Bennie Hanath. Together they shared 63 years of marriage. Gloria attended church at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Gloria worked numerous jobs and worked with her husband for Bennie Hanath Portable Welding.

She was an active member of the Brenham Elks Lodge #979, where she was named a Sweetheart several times, served on the Ladies Auxiliary, held the office of Tiler for five years. Gloria was also a member of Hermann Sons Life of Brenham, where she held numerous offices and received the Humanitarian Award in 2003. She served on the board of the Friends of Bluebonnet Opry and was a member of the Texas German Society.

From 1987 to 1997, Gloria and Bennie opened their home and hearts to exchange students from Germany, Switzerland, Poland, and the Czech Republic, forming lifelong bonds and friendships. Gloria loved to travel, cherished trips to Europe and throughout much of the United States. She also enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with family and friends, dancing, attending the Opry, and participating in events at the Elks Lodge and Hermann Sons.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her in-laws Richard and Annie (Hermann) Hanath, her infant son, Timothy Scott Hanath, her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Henry Drews, Anita Hanath, Louis and Joycine Hanath, Alvin and Bernice Hanath, Elwood Hanath, Bobby and Amalia Woolf and nephew Eric Hanath.

She is survived by her sons, Troy (Jeri) Hanath and Bradley (Janice) Hanath; by her sister, Eunice Drews; grandchildren Troy (Krissy) Hanath II, Arin (Charles) Cafero, Brandon (Kirstie) Hanath, Wyatt (Ashley) Hanath, and Austin (Alyssa) Hanath; and great-grandchildren Shelby, Colby, and Lacey Hanath, Dyllin and Paityn Harrison, Kynlee Knipstein, Kylie and Lyra Cafero, Hadley and Josie Hanath, Liam and Kinsley DeFord, Lydia and Hawkins Hanath and Magnolia Hanath. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family extends special thanks to AVIR Bellville and Hospice Brazos Valley for their compassionate care.

Serving as pallbearers will be Rodney Hanath, Mark Hanath, Troy Hanath II, Brandon Hanath, Wyatt Hanath, Austin Hanath, Charles Cafero, and Colby Hanath. Honorary pallbearers are Arin Cafero, all her Great-Grandchildren, Marti VD Elsen, Darin Teetes, Chris Helton and members of the Friends of Bluebonnet Opry and Brenham Elks Lodge.

Visitation with the family will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 1, 2026 at Memorial Oaks Chapel.

The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham. Burial will be at Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church CDS, the Elks Lodge BPOE or Hospice Brazos Valley.