Darlene Engelke

Darlene Hohertz Engelke of Austin passed away at the age of 70 on June 14, 2014 at St. David’s Hospital in Austin, Texas after a long battle with cancer related health issues. She was born on December 1, 1943 in Austin, Texas. She was preceded in death by her father Lester Hugo Hohertz, mother Mildred Shirley Hohertz, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Darlene was a lifetime resident of Austin and had a sincere and gracious love of life and people. She helped light up our world and she loved reading, doing creative art projects, cooking, traveling and visiting with friends and family. She had a very special bond with our children and grandchildren. She absolutely loved spending time with them.

Darlene graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in 1965. Prior to graduation from college, she began her work career at the University of Texas as an administrative assistant in the Chancellor’s Office. She retired in 2005 from the Pflugerville School District where she was an Assistant to the Superintendent. Most recently, she served as a Board Member on the Rose Hill Cemetery Association.

She was married on June 20, 1964 to Bennie Lee Engelke at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church. After marriage they became members of Faith Lutheran Church in Austin. In 2006 they joined Triumphant Love Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. Darlene and Bennie would have celebrated their 50th anniversary on June 20, 2014.

Darlene is survived by her husband Bennie Lee Engelke, son Sean Randall Engelke, daughter Jennifer Leigh Peck and husband Sam Peck, grandchildren Samantha Elise Peck, Jack William Peck, and Max Henry Peck, all of Austin, brother Rodney Hohertz and wife Sharon of Lake Whitney, Texas and their daughter Brandy and family of Georgetown, aunt Robbie Shirley of Austin, and a special friend to our family Tra Knox of Austin.

The family requests memorial contributions in her name to be made to Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, or to the Triumphant Love Lutheran Church Child Development Center.

Memorial Services for Darlene will be held at Triumphant Love Lutheran Church at 9508 Great Hills Trail Austin, Texas 78759 on June 20, 2014 at 11:00 am and a reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall upstairs.

Please visit Darlene’s memorial at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com