Lisa Marquart Veenstra

Lisa Marquart Veenstra, age 58, beloved mother, wife, daughter and sister died peacefully in the early morning hours of February 6, 2023. Lisa began showing symptoms of ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease in the Summer of 2020, and this disease slowly progressed taking Lisa’s voice, movement, but never her spirit.

Born to CMSgt (USAF, retired) Earl Marquart and Adalene Marquart, on August 28, 1964, Lisa spent her infancy in Germany and her childhood at Randolph ABF and Universal City, TX. She attended public school in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City School District from kindergarten to 12th grade. Graduating high school in 1982, Lisa attended Blinn Junior College in Brenham for two years, then Sam Houston State University, graduating in the Spring of 1986 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. She was an accomplished flutist and pianist. Lisa went to work in Cypress Fairbanks ISD at Langham Creek HS and Campbell Junior High as a band director from 1986-1999. Although Lisa left full time teaching at that time, she remained active as a private flute teacher, piano accompanist, and frequent judge and caterer for region music events. She also volunteered in school and church events extensively, having served on countless committees and service organizations, including the CtR Parish Council, Spring Festival, church receptionist, and the Cy-Fair ISD Superintendent Advisory Board.

Throughout her life, Lisa engaged people with her smile and gregarious nature. Even as a young child, Lisa was friends with everyone she met. Lisa had the special talent of remaining friends with people for decades. Lisa was generous and kind. She had an unforgettable smile and a frequently used laugh. At home, Lisa was a fabulous cook, having worked her way through Julia Childs “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” while her sons were young. She was an avid University of Texas, University of Michigan, and Bluecoats drum and bugle corps fan. The greatest joy of her life were her two sons, William (Willie) and Thomas (the peapod), and her adoring husband, Marky. Lisa and Mark met while both were teachers in Cypress Fairbanks and enjoyed 34 years of incredibly loving and close friendship. The four Veenstras lived in the same house for 35 years, attended the same church for 35 years, and Mark held the same job for 36 years. In short, the Veenstra family followed a path of traditional family unity and connection to their community that isn’t always present in today’s culture.

Lisa was preceded in death by her father, Earl, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. Lisa is survived by her husband, Mark, children William and Thomas, and mother Adalene and siblings, Vince (Jill), Wendy, Roland (Tammy), 13 nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins.

Lisa and her family are very grateful for community, for love, and for many, many happy times. To quote a friend, “She lived the kind of life that leaves good behind and good ahead.” Should you wish to honor Lisa’s life, please consider a donation to Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church organ fund, or the ALS Circle of Friends-Dennis Sehorn Foundation.