Lorene Mary Hedtke Travis

She was born September 1, 1923, on the family farm near Ecleto Creek in Runge, Texas, to Henry August Hedtke and Hedwig Emma Krietsch Hedtke. A short time later, her parents moved the family to a farm in Cabeza, Texas. She fondly remembered her days spent at the three-room Cabeza School where she attended through the 7th grade. Lorene worked beside her parents and younger brother, Henry Harold Hedtke, both on the farm in Cabeza and later when they moved just outside of Runge. It was there she attended and graduated from Runge High School in 1941.

Following graduation, she left life on the farm and moved to the big city of San Antonio where she attended Alamo City Business College learning typing, shorthand, and bookkeeping. She worked briefly for Texas Chiropractic College and then at Universal Book Bindery before ending up at Sherwin Williams Paint Co. on Commerce St. as their bookkeeper. It was there she met Leon E. (Ed) Travis, Jr., the handsome son of one of the paint store’s regular customers. After a brief courtship, they were married in San Antonio on February 18, 1946, in the parlor of a minister’s home with Ed in his military best.

Over the next 61 years before Ed’s passing in 2007, Lorene and Ed would work side-by-side in all things – family, church, business, and fun. They raised their four children with Lorene involved in PTA, Scouting, Castle Hills Vol. Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary, and other community organizations. Their children all graduated from Texas A & M, with Lorene taking on the role of “Aggie Mom” to them and a few extra Aggie friends adopted along the way, and later the role of “Aggie Grandmother”. They labored together in the Lord’s vineyard immersing themselves and their young family in the community of Woodlawn Christian Church for many years. Later in life they moved their membership to Covenant Presbyterian Church. They worked together running the family’s businesses – L. E. Travis & Sons, Inc., a third-generation paint contracting business; Ace Cleaning Co., a sandblasting business; and a real estate investment portfolio – with Lorene working as secretary and bookkeeper for all. They both were heavily involved with the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America at the local, state, and national levels. Lorene supported her husband in the Alzafar Shrine Nemnuf Clown unit. She was a member of Las Payasas (the ladies’ clown unit), the Ladies Oriental Shrine – Altrui Court No. 89, and the Fez Squares square dancers. Together they were faithful companions, Ed always in the driver’s seat and Lorene always in the passenger seat of both their car and life. One might find them garage sale hopping or parked on the side of the road selling pecans. And now, after five long years apart, Lorene is once again side-by-side with her beloved Ed.

Lorene danced her way into the hearts of many. With her signature red hair, playful winks, and lips puckered ready for a smooch, Lorene will be missed by her family and friends more than words can express.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband, and great-grandchild Vincent Catalani.

She is survived by her children Ed Travis, III and wife Kerry; Ron Travis and wife Tricia; Bill Travis and wife Sarah; and Cindy Travis Kerr and husband Bob; ten grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren and numerous extended family and friends. Pallbearers are Paul Ambro, Brian Smith, John Travis, Scott Travis, Glenn Whitaker, Carlton Catalani, Tommy Traugott and Travis Kerr. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Holloway, Mickey Travis, Bill Looney (deceased), and Harold Hedtke (deceased).

The family wishes to thank the staff of Morningside Manor, Unit 7 for their loving care of Mom for these past three years and to Vitas Hospice for their invaluable help over the past few weeks.

Visitation will be from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM on Friday, September 21 at Sunset Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 22 at Woodlawn Christian Church, 1744 W. Gramercy Pl. with Chaplain Dennis Smith of Morningside Ministries officiating. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzafar Hospital Fund, 901 N. Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, Texas 78232, or to Morningside Ministries (Covenant Fund), 700 Babcock Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78201.