Arvella Henrietta Constien Calder

Arvella Henrietta Calder (née Constien) of New Braunfels, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 11, 2025, after many years of living with Alzheimer’s disease, a challenge she met with dignity and grace. She was 88.

Born on November 23, 1936, on the family farm near Devil’s Canyon, east of Hinton, Oklahoma, Arvella was the daughter of Otto Constien and Martha (née Johnson) Constien. One of seven children, she grew up surrounded by the rhythms of farm life, where she learned the values that shaped her character: calm in adversity, a tireless work ethic, creative resourcefulness, unwavering dependability, and a deep awareness of God’s presence in the everyday.

Arvella attended Hinton public schools and graduated from Hinton High School in 1954, where she was an honor student and a three-year starter on the women’s basketball team. Well into her fifties, she could still outscore her children at the free throw line—shooting underhanded, no less.

In 1950, Arvella met Leslie Glen Calder at a church picnic at Hinton’s St. John’s Lutheran Church, where Les and friends from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Apache had come to visit. Both were immediately smitten. Their long-distance courtship—made possible by Leslie’s 1953 Chevy 3100 pickup—led to their marriage on August 20, 1955. After that, the couple moved to Norman, OK, where Arvella cared for the children of a prominent Oklahoma City family while attending business school.

In 1955, having earned a Secretarial Certificate, Arvella worked as a secretary for a psychiatrist in Norman, supporting the young couple’s household while Leslie completed his engineering degree at the University of Oklahoma. Later that year, the couple moved to Port Arthur, Texas, and eventually to Beaumont, where they lived for forty-three years and raised three children: Lendol Glen, Lori Lynn, and Lee Ann.

Arvella was a devoted wife, loving mother, gifted homemaker, and stalwart member of her church community. She was loving, firm, steady, and true—always ready for a board game, a round of dominos, or a hand of cards. Her kitchen was a place of comfort and delight; the scent of cookies drifting from the oven was a quiet promise that we were home, safe, and loved. She sewed clothing for her children with care and skill and a smart sense of style. Later, she served as secretary at Redeemer Lutheran Church, the family’s spiritual home in Beaumont.

Quietly intent on following the example of her Lord and Savior Jesus, Arvella’s life was marked by service and generosity. She gave her time and leadership to organizations including the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Young Homemakers of America, a military wives’ club, adult Bible study groups, the Altar Guild, Quilting for Lutheran World Relief, the New Braunfels Food Pantry, and Meals on Wheels. She was a woman of quiet strength and enduring faith.

Arvella was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings; and her beloved husband Leslie, who passed away in 2022 after 66 years of marriage. She is survived by her children: Lendol (Anne) Calder of Geneseo, IL; Lori Harris of Katy, TX; and Lee Ann (Jim) Anderson of Austin, TX; seven grandchildren: Mark (Brittany) Harris, Paul Harris, Abigail Calder, Andrew Calder, Luke (Barbora) Anderson, Catharine Anderson, and Lily Anderson; and two great-grandchildren, Ezra and Susanna Harris, all of whom made Arvella enormously proud. She is also survived by dearly loved extended family members: her brother Larry Constien, sister-in-law Barbara Constien, and Karen McBee.

The family thanks Hospice Austin and Arden Courts Memory Care for their support in Arvella’s final weeks. Also, New Braunfels ComForCare, especially Jeannie Jury and Sharon Wingard, who faithfully and compassionately assisted Mom while she lived at home. Our mother will be sorely missed by all who knew her, but we rejoice in the promise that she now rests among the saints and angels in God’s eternal kingdom.

A graveside committal service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery will be held August 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran World Relief.