Betty was born on November 4, 1937, to Richard and Elsa (Albrecht) Haecker in San Antonio, Texas, as the fifth of their twelve children. She grew up on the Haecker family farm in Zuehl, where she and her siblings were taught how to live a true, authentic Christian life. She learned the value of hard work by taking on farm chores alongside her parents, brothers, and sisters. She said she could outwork any boy. With a house full of love and laughter, and so many aunts, uncles, and cousins as neighbors, her love of family took deep root.
Betty met her one and only love, Anton J. (Buster) Strzelczyk, more than 70 years ago. They married and were blessed with four children. Together, they built a life that spanned across South, Central, and East Texas as Buster worked in the natural gas business, taking any promotion he could to provide for their growing family. They settled in New Braunfels in 1968, and Betty declared she would never move again. And she didn’t.
Betty never abandoned the values she gleaned as a child in her role as mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her hands and feet were never idle. She taught them how to throw a ball – hard, to fish, to read, to bake, to braid hair, to craft, to garden, to give, to love.
Betty adored all children, and they were certainly drawn to her. Her caring nature extended far beyond her own children, nieces, and nephews. She was so committed to helping children that she began her career at a local daycare center, and spent many years thereafter working in early childhood development, teaching the basics and preparing a multitude of eager minds for elementary school.
Her retirement years were spent enjoying craft projects, preparing for holidays, gardening, baking her famous pies, relaxing in Rockport, sitting with her beloved cat “Kitty”, volunteering at her church, and visiting family and friends.
Betty is predeceased by her parents; her son-in-law, Grady James; grandson, Jason L. Grimm; siblings: Lorene Haecker, Ray Joy Haecker, Velma (Sonny) Aniol, Nelson (Jimmie) Haecker, Richard Haecker, Jr., Wilbert Haecker, Clarence Haecker, and Jeanette Dietert; brother-in-law Douglas Stolleis. She is survived by her husband, Buster; her children Robert Strzelczyk, Michael (Cerise) Strzelczyk, Carrie James, and Laurie (Donnie) Garrison; her grandchildren Gregory (Alicea) Strzelczyk, Tim (Stephanie) Sisak, Kristina Sisak Weinman, Justen Strzelczyk, and Jenna (Eric) Engbrock; great-grandchildren Avery Sisak, Emory Weinman, Peyton Sisak, Colby Strzelczyk, Harper Strzelczyk, and Ellie Engbrock; sisters Vernell (Aaron) Theilengerdes, Myrtle Hild, and Genevieve Stolleis; sister and brother in-laws Patricia Haecker, Bernadette Haecker, Daniel Dietert; and many, many nephews, nieces, friends, and church family.
Public Visitation will begin 6:00 PM Friday, August 15, 2025 at Zoeller Funeral Home and will continue until 8:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held 12:00 PM Saturday, August 16, 2025 at St. John Lutheran Church in Marion, with Pastor Bryan C. Dziadik-Willingham officiating. Interment will follow in Redeemer Cemetery, Zuehl, Texas. Memorial Contributions may be given to Christian Cupboard, Seguin, Texas at https://www.christiancupboardofseguin.org/donate
