Geraldine 'Gerry' Marjorie Pluenneke Daniel was born December 30th, 1932 to Leonard C. Pluenneke and Louise Wilhelmina Hulda Kothmann in the family's ranch home in Mason County, Texas.  She joined her parents in Heaven Monday, December 11, 2023, at the age of 90. Raised on the cattle ranch, Gerry loved all God's creatures great and small, and helped with all of the daily chores of running the ranch.  She attended first through eighth grade at the Hilda Community School and graduated from Mason High School in 1950.  Tarleton State College was her next stop where she majored in Home Economics and met her future husband, Don Daniel.  Gerry then completed her education at Texas State College for Women with a Home Economics degree in 1954.  After she graduated, Don and Gerry were married on August 21, 1954 in Mason and moved to Thorndale.  There she taught school and supported Don while he finished up his studies at A&M College of Texas, now Texas A&M University.  After Don's graduation, they began raising their family and lived in Corsicana, Fort Benning and Waco while Don worked for Texas Power and Light and completed training with the US Army and continuing a forty-two year career in the Army National Guard, and Gerry's career as an Army wife.  The next move was to Sinton where Don began a long career in South Texas with Central Power and Light followed by a short 20 mile move down the road to Portland in 1967.  Here, they settled in for 23 years to raise their five children.  In her limited spare time, Gerry sold Avon products and did substitute teaching at Gregory-Portland High School.  In 1980, she returned to teaching full time and taught Home Economics at Taft Junior High School for ten years, retiring in 1990.  If that wasn't enough to keep one busy, Gerry returned to school and completed an Associates Degree in Restaurant Management in 1987.  After Don's retirement from the National Guard, they moved to Gerry's ancestral home at the ranch in Mason County, where they designed and they built their dream home.

As an only child, Gerry always dreamed of having a big family and with five kids and six grandkids, this dream was realized.  At the Ranch, they settled into a routine of raising cattle - and the occasional deer, goat, donkey, dogs and many cats - attending church, helping the community and entertaining children and grandchildren.  Gerry was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Portland and Hilda United Methodist Church, where she faithfully served with United Methodist Women (UMW) including multiple leadership positions.  She was active in many civic affairs in Mason including 4-H, Mason Study Club, Mason Historical Society, Mason Library and Square Museum, and the Mason County Republican Women's Club.

Gerry is survived by her loving husband, Don Daniel of Mason, one daughter, Brenda Daniel and life partner Chris Huchingson of Georgetown, and four sons, Thomas Daniel of Mason, Richard Daniel and wife Bonnie Keeney of Georgetown, Robert Daniel and wife Jane of Georgetown, and Darryl Daniel and wife Shannon of Kingwood.  She is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Alyssa Fusilier of Georgetown, Kaitlin Daniel of Houston, Trey Schwanke of Leander, Payton Knauer of Humble, Gillian Daniel of Houston and Alexandra Daniel of Georgetown, and one large gray cat who was her constant companion the last many years and misses her very much.

Gerry was also blessed in her final years to have her care-giver Viatrice Guerrero, who became like a second daughter and a sixth sibling to her children, a true gift from God.

Visitation with the family will be Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Hilda United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Hilda Cemetery.

Gerry, always dedicating her life to children, followed in her Mother's footsteps as a lifelong giver to St. Jude's and was also a lover of animal rescue and supported Second Chance – Mason Animal Rescue. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to www.stjude.org or www.secondchancemason.com.