Mildred Twenhafel's Obituary
Mildred Rebecca Twenhafel, 97, passed away peacefully December 31, 2025, at her residence at The Gardens at Brookridge, Pharr, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Erwin A. Twenhafel, her daughter, Sally Kay Tankersley, her parents, James and Sally Jennings, two brothers, George and Sid Jennings, and three sisters, Sarah Moon, Lula Josephine Elliott and Francis Stimpson.
She is survived by her son, Mark (Tracey) Twenhafel, of McAllen, granddaughters Lauren Tankersley of Dallas, Caresse Tankersley (Rich Anderson), and two great-grandchildren, Sloane and Sutton Anderson, of Richardson, and numerous nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Mildred was born in Centre, Alabama, on March 14, 1928, at her family’s rural home. After graduating valedictorian of her high school class, Mildred moved to Weslaco, Texas, and made her home with her cousins, Judson and Mildred Friday. She attended and graduated from Edinburg Junior College and worked for the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texsun Corporation.
Mildred met Erwin Twenhafel after his return from serving in the Pacific with the Navy in World War II, and they married on November 13, 1949, in Weslaco, Texas. They moved to Mile 1 East, Mercedes, Texas, where Mildred “kept the books” for Erwin’s farming operations and saw that their children, Sally and Mark, did not get into too much trouble. She participated in Beta Sigma Phi for many years and played an active role as a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Mercedes.
Although not a native, Mildred loved the Rio Grande Valley and proudly called it home. She especially appreciated the local wildlife and anticipated the annual migrations of hummingbirds through the area. She was always looking for another “good spot” to hang a hummingbird feeder.
Services for Mildred will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mercedes, Texas, followed by burial at Highland Memorial Park, Weslaco, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Mildred’s memory with a memorial to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 703 W. 3rd Street, Mercedes, Texas 78570.
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