Louise Katherine Murchison

Louise K. Murchison, age 92, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas.The oldest of 8 children, she was born on April 5, 1931, in the town of Hobson, a small Polish farming community in south Texas. The family thrived despite the challenges of that era by means of hard work, frugality, perseverance, and by the comfort of their deep Catholic faith.

After graduating at 18 from Karnes City High School, Louise moved to San Antonio and began her Civil Service career working at Kelly Air Force Base. She rapidly advanced to the position of supervisor, overseeing data input management in a time of punch cards, magnet tape and computers the size of a warehouse. After serving 38 years, she retired in 1986.

Louise raised four children predominantly as a single parent. Having only herself to rely on, she got by on hard work, frugality, self-sufficiency and fierce independence. She encouraged her children to be successful by learning how to do things for themselves.

Her farming roots gave her a passion for gardening, and she turned her small yard into a suburban farm. She raised vegetables of every kind, fruit trees, citrus trees, pecan trees and all kinds of flowers, especially roses. Her efforts were so productive that she canned, froze, and preserved food to last throughout the years and still had plenty to generously share with her neighbors.

An avid animal lover, she rescued and rehabilitated many, many abandoned dogs, cats and even a goose that flew in and made her yard its home. Louise could turn no one away hungry or sick. All, be they strays or just visitors, had a bowl of food and water waiting on her front porch. Compassion and sensitivity were hallmarks of her character.

As her parents aged, Louise became their primary caregiver, traveling back down south every week and more often when they were ill. She prepared food, did laundry, cleaned, did yard work, and did farm labor in order to help them manage their lives. Her children went along and were taught that it was an honor to help and an expectation to care for elders who spent their lives giving care to their children and grandchildren.

Louise’s strength, determination, compassion, generosity will live on in our memories as she rests in peace in the house of her Heavenly Father.

She was preceded in death by her father, Felix Pollok; mother, Mary Pollok; brother, Felix Pollok Jr.; sister, Loraine Kowalik; sister, Ester Braun; sister, Maryann Pollok; and grandson, Jeremy Terry.

Louise is survived by her daughter, Estelle Murchison; daughter, Andrene Murchison; son, Andrew Murchison; son, Duane Murchison; brother, Archie Pollok; sister, Elaine Rhine; and brother, Edward Pollok.

FUNERAL MASS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 202311:00AMST. ANTHONY MARY CLARET CATHOLIC CHURCH

6150 ROFT RD.SAN ANTONIO, TX 78253(Family to receive friends beginning at 10:00am & Rosary will be recited at 10:30am)

Interment will immediately follow at Resurrection Cemetery at Cordi-Marian. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a Hospice or San Antonio Pets Alive.