F. Hilda Vehko

Friedhilde "Hilda" Vehko passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, surrounded by her family and friends in Christ. She was 86. Born in Kaiserslautern, Germany, 1921, Hilda immigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother in 1928. The family settled in Detroit, where Hilda was confirmed at Pilgrim Lutheran Church. She returned to Germany at the age of 14 to spend two years with her aunts. Hilda experienced the political tumult in Germany prior to the outbreak of WW II, while she learned the proper way to keep house and read the German Bible. Once safely back in Detroit, she attended Cass Technical High School, where her artistic talent was encouraged. Hilda married Vaino J. Vehko in 1941. In addition to raising four children, she maintained the family home for her unmarried brother- and sister-in-law, grew a wartime victory garden, attended evening classes in jewelry making, and participated in synchronized swimming productions. Hilda frequently helped her husband entertain visiting German rocket designers. The family moved to the New Orleans area in 1962; Hilda supervised the building of her dream home, became an enthusiastic golfer and swam laps in the bayou with alligators. She found antiques to refinish and continued painting in oil and watercolor. Hilda was active in supporting Trinity Lutheran Church in Covington, Louisiana; she and her husband, Vaino, enjoyed recruiting and entertaining new pastors. By 1984 Vaino had retired and the couple moved to Austin, Texas, to be closer to new grandchildren. Hilda remained devout and active in Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church after she was widowed and moved to an assisted living residence. She was a member of the PEO (Chapter FK) and the West Lake Hills Garden Club. Hilda was preceded in death by her husband, Vaino J. Vehko. She is survived by her son James Vehko of Harper Woods, Michigan; daughter Judith Barton and husband Dan of Mason, Texas; daughter Kristin Asthalter and husband Michael of Austin, Texas; son John Vehko and wife Lotte of Austin, Texas; grandchildren Jennifer Powell and husband Michael of St. Ignace, Michigan; Heidi Jackson and husband Mark of Missouri City, Texas; Peter Vehko and wife Elizabeth of Denver, Colorado; James Barton and Jill Asthalter; great-grandsons Owen and Maxen Powell. The family is indebted to Hilda's pastors and church family members who were so important throughout her life. The family thanks Hilda's friends and the staff of the Summit at Northwest Hills for the caring environment of the past seven years. Thanks also to the St. David's Rehab staff and Drs. Hillary Miller, Paul Tucker and Jose Martinez for their exceptional attention. A memorial service to celebrate Hilda's life is scheduled for September 13, 11:00, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3525 Bee Cave Rd., Austin, Texas. Memories may be shared online at www.wcfish.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Shepherd of the Hills for mission work.