Velma Margaret Holck

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Albert; her firstborn son, Albert Jonathan; her parents, Erich Carl Miller and Selma Louise Kriegel Miller; her sisters, Dora Hayden, Lorene Hierholzer, and Esterleen Fischer; her brothers, Eric Miller and Wilbert Miller. Velma is survived by her sisters, Helen Stephenson of Bastrop and Joyce Miller of Clear Lake; her brother, Larry Miller of New Mexico; her sons, Andrew William Holck of Dallas and Philip Carl Holck of Calgary, Canada; daughter Margaret Ann Holck Felger of Austin; and six grandchildren, Preston Luthy, Matthew Holler, Paul Holck, and Rachel, Joshua, and Evan Felger.

Her early childhood was spent on the family farm near Copperas Cove, which is now a part of Fort Hood. Her later childhood was spent in the family home near Bartlett, Texas, where she graduated from Bartlett High School. Her first experience of college was at Texas Lutheran College, Seguin. She then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated with a degree in education. It was also at the University of Texas during a Lutheran Student Association meeting that she first met Albert.

Following her marriage to Albert Holck, she followed him to Seguin where she taught 2nd grade. She accompanied Albert to Columbus, Ohio for his final year of seminary, and taught Ohio history in the Whitehall School District. Following Albert’s completion of seminary training, she moved with him to Brenham, Texas, where she gave birth to her first three children, and spent a year teaching in the Brenham School District. Her next home was Winters, Texas where she sponsored her own Kindergarten school. A move to Houston included the arrival of the fourth child and many church activities. Following three years in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the family moved to Austin, Texas. Here she resumed her teaching career, teaching first in the Del Valle School District, and then in the Lake Travis School District.

Retirement gave more time for personal interests, including raising African Violets, sewing, and cross-stitching. She sang alto in the St. Martin Lutheran Church’s Senior Choir, and in the Austin Saengerrunde Damenchor, for which she served several terms as President and Music Committee Chairman. She was part of the Elizabeth Circle at St. Martin’s and worked with the Mop and Hammer Group. She also helped to start the tradition of children’s worship bags that provided children with activities to do during worship. She was a Sunday School teach throughout her life, and Albert’s right hand in ministry in all of the churches that he served. She was known for her quiet disposition, her willingness to listen and warm smile. She loved her homes and always worked to make them a pleasant place to be, including at meal time. Her Christmas Tea Rings were especially prized, and she made it possible to continue the Holck Christmas tradition of baking Molasses Cookies. She took loving care of her grandchildren and had a special relationship with each one.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.