One of the oldest living residents of Blanco County, Elizabeth Dechert Sorrell went to be with her heavenly father before Mother's Day 2017. Elizabeth was born December 3, 1910 at the Otto and Lucille Riba Ranch to Joe and Sophie Riba. She grew up in Blanco, Texas. She passed away at the LBJ Medical Center in Johnson City, Texas on May 12, 2017 at the age of 106.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, 25 Main St., Blanco, TX 78606 where Rosary & Vigil services will be held at 6:00 PM that evening.  Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, May, 17, 2017 at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church with Rev. Wade Russell as Celebrant.  Interment to follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Elizabeth graduated from Blanco High School in 1930. In her early years she worked at the Flugrath Store for 50cents/day, which helped support her family. She married Wesley Julius Dechert in 1934. They lived on a farm west of Blanco and raised eight children. The family attended church at St. Mary's Catholic Church at Twin Sisters. They helped build St. Ferdinand's Catholic Church in Blanco in 1940.  Her loving husband Wesley died in 1961. Elizabeth, still at home with four of their eight children, continued to farm and lived a great life. Their children were very successful in the many occupations they pursued. She was awarded "Mother of the Year" by the Blanco FFA in 1970. She then married Henry Sorrell in 1973, and they lived up the river for 10 years before he passed. She moved to town in Blanco in 1984. Many New Year's Day, Easter and Mother's Day Celebrations were enjoyed at her home, where competitive family members played "42" domino games.  The entire community knew her as "Gran". She had 23 grandchildren, but showed her loving heart to so many more. She bowled in the Blanco Bowling Club 9 pin league until she was 93. Gran was inducted into the Bowling Club's Hall of Fame in 2000. She was an involved member of the Senior Citizens Center "Gem of the Hills" and worked preparing food for "Meals on Wheels" until she was 94. Yes, she retired when she was 94 years young. She was a devoted member of the church her whole life, serving on St. Anne's Altar Society and teaching Sunday School.

Elizabeth Dechert Sorrell is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Sophie Riba; husband Wesley Dechert; husband Henry Sorrell; brothers, Oswald, Herman and Victor Riba; sister, Josephine Walsh; sons Charles and Wesley Joe Dechert; Son's in law Martin Meier and Richard Chance; grandson's in law Pat Barrett and Harley Bowman.

Elizabeth is survived by children Mary Frances Meier, John L. Dechert (Linda), Gerald "Buddy" Dechert (Lee), Geraldine Chance, Jacquelyn Dowd (Terry), James Dechert (Donna); grandchildren Rhonda Mullins (David), Sharon Schumann (Greg), Karen Huddleston (Trey), Pam Meier (Jim), Steven Meier (Anissa), Carolyn Savanich (David), Marilyn Bowman, Julie Hardin (John), Janet Bizzell (Lynn), Sheila Mercer (George), Michael Dechert (Joycelynn), Charles "Butch" Dechert, Denise Rooney (Shaun), Kimberly Lynch (Jeff), Lisa Haayen (Richard), Ginger Giuttari (Tino), Billy Chance, Darrell Perkins (Laurie), Terry Allen Dowd, Charles "Chuck" Dowd (Lisa), Chris Dowd, Ron Dechert (Kalli), and Robin Dechert; and numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Gran's grandsons and honorary pallbearers are her granddaughters.

We express our sincere appreciation to Dr. John Weaver, Heart to Heart Hospice, Live Oak & LBJ Medical Center Nursing Homes, and all members of the family who served as Gran's caregivers.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Ferdinand's building fund or the charity of your choice.