Elfriede Reitmaier Brewer

May 14, 1933 – October 19, 2026

Elfriede Reitmaier Brewer, known and loved by nearly everyone simply as “Nanny,” passed away on October 19, 2026, in Live Oak, Texas, at the age of 93.

Elfriede was born on May 14, 1933, in Munich, Germany, to Lorenz and Thekla Reitmaier of Erding, and grew up on a small family farm in Talheim, Germany. She was raised in the Catholic faith, trained as a seamstress, and worked as a nanny. It turns out the name her family would one day call her had been her job title all along.

In Germany, she met U.S. Air Force airman Harold Brewer. They married on June 2, 1956, and she moved to the United States to start their life together, eventually making their forever home in Live Oak, where Harold retired after 22 years of military service.

Though she always carried her German roots with pride, she was especially proud to become an American citizen in her 70s.

Nanny adored her husband, and their love was the foundation of the family they built together. Harold, known to the grandkids as “Poppy,” shared her sense of adventure. The two loved camping and traveling, and some of their happiest memories were made bringing the grandkids along for the ride.

Above all, Nanny was a caretaker. She was a devoted stay-at-home mom who also babysat other families’ children over the years, and she was never happier than when she was surrounded by kids. That love only grew with each grandchild and great-grandchild. Her home was a place of holiday celebrations, dinners, sleepovers, countless family gatherings, and her door was always open.

Nanny’s kitchen was the heart of her home, and food was her favorite way to bring everyone together. From baking Christmas cookies to rolling out her famous chicken and dumplings, she always made sure there was plenty to go around and a reason for everyone to come over. She loved feeding people almost as much as she loved giving out hugs, and nobody ever left her house hungry or without a squeeze.

She was also the life of the party and never missed a chance to dance, especially while listening to her favorite, Mollie B’s Polka Party.

She was positive, affectionate, full of sass, and never afraid to speak her mind. She was also remarkably resilient, bouncing back from more setbacks and surgeries than anyone could count with her trademark shrug and a simple, “Well… what are you going to do?”

For nearly 50 years, Nanny kept a standing appointment at the beauty shop. It was about so much more than her hair. It was a cherished ritual, a chance to catch up on the latest news, and a place where she was always among friends.

Her later years were especially full of joy. At the Schertz Senior Center, she took up line dancing in her 80s and never missed a luncheon or event if she could help it. She also kept a busy social calendar, including a weekly card game with a close-knit group of friends, making the most of every minute.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Brewer; her sons, Larry Brewer and Michael Brewer; her parents, Lorenz and Thekla Reitmaier; her brothers, Hans and Lenz Reitmaier; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Benjamin and Osie Brewer; and her brother-in-law, Robert Brewer.

She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Schmidt, and son-in-law, Tim Schmidt; her grandchildren, Carly Barton (Jimmy), Jeremy Schmidt (Tifannie), Cody Schmidt (Chandra), Sarah Burkett (Lawrence), Amanda Brewer, and Kimberly Brewer; her great-grandchildren, Addie, Jathan, Kaylie, Rilie, Lucas, and Levi Schmidt; Hunter and Sydney Barton; and Emmalyn and Maddox Brewer; as well as her nieces and nephew in Germany.

A service will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Schertz Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Nanny’s memory to Hope Hospice or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Nanny lived life to the fullest and loved without holding back. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Hear her voice one more time by watching her legacy video. It was filmed in 2016 and remains a family treasure, with some of her stories and laughter captured for all to enjoy. > https://youtu.be/THVybX8nmVo