Nancy Ruth (Carlson) VanHemert

Nancy Ruth Carlson VanHemert, age 75, was born on September 21st, 1948 in Austin, TX to Mary Sue Phelps Carlson and Alfred Broline Carlson. Nancy joined older sisters Suzanne and Patricia. She passed away peacefully on November 12th, 2023 in Austin, TX.

Nancy was an Austin-ite through and through, spending 1948-1970 and 1996 until her death in the city she called home. She went to Maplewood Elementary, University Junior High and Austin High School where she graduated in 1966. Nancy furthered her education at the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘em) where she earned her degree in education in 1970. She married Richard Lee VanHemert on January 25th, 1969. In 1970, they moved to San Antonio where Nancy taught elementary school. In 1972, they welcomed their daughter Molly to the family. In 1975 the family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nancy found work at the University of Minnesota - Agricultural Economics Department. In 1981, they moved to Boise, Idaho. Nancy was able to work from home while in Boise. She volunteered at Molly’s school and did some transcription work. Nancy and Molly moved to Dallas in 1983. While in Dallas she worked as an office manager for Henry S. Miller and then David Dunning Real Estate Group. In 1996, Nancy moved back to Austin to help care for her aging mother. She landed a job at Trammell Crow Company. She was approached by a few of her bosses to see if she would be interested in leaving and starting their own commercial real estate firm. Nancy took the leap of faith and Endeavor Real Estate was born. Nancy was able to retire from Endeavor in 2014.

There is so much to say about Nancy. She was a great athlete-playing golf, tennis, racquetball and softball. She continued to exercise up until a few months before her death. Nancy played the viola, handbells and enjoyed singing in multiple choirs from junior high to college to adulthood. And if anything was broken she could fix it! She even enjoyed changing the oil in her car. She loved the Lord and was a lifelong church attendee and has been a member of Riverbend since returning to Austin.

Nancy spent her spare time volunteering. She served in the St. David’s Hospital nursery and 20 years at the Talking Book Program. Nancy’s number one job was being a mother. She did everything she could to be at any and everyone of Molly’s events, games, programs and performances. Later in life she would become affectionately known as Lady to her grandsons and Auntie to her nieces and nephews.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Sue and Alfred. Her step-father Edgar Parker, Molly’s father Rick VanHemert. She is survived by her daughter, Molly Heath, husband Dale and grandsons Parker and Jaxon. Her sisters Suzanne Sauer, husband Rick and Tricia Stovall, husband Greg. Sister-in-law Kathy Myers, husband Bill, brother-in-law Jim VanHemert, wife Phyllis. Along with numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church, Austin. A reception will follow the service on the church grounds.

Floral deliveries can be directed to the Smith Family Chapel. Nancy's preferred charities were St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Shriners Hospital.