Myrtle Emily Beard Zett, 82 of Austin died Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Christopher House of Austin.

Myrtle was born in Granger, TX to Robert and Maud Bryan Beard on February 11, 1931. Myrtle retired on September 30, 1993 after 38 years with Texas Employment Commission. She enjoyed traveling and especially visiting Stonehenge in England, a childhood dream. She enjoyed raising her children, dancing, and fishing at Rockport, TX. She dearly loved her 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her husband Frank B. Zett of 65 years, and sisters Edna Steglich of Bartlett, Rowena Johnson, Winnie Tidwell, Ivy Maude Smith all of Austin and Margaret Beard of Granger. Myrtle is survived by her children and their spouses, David and Linda Zett of Abilene, Dellette Lysek of Kyle, Mark and Cookie Zett of Bastrop; grandchildren, John and Christopher Zett, Brian and Lucas Lysek, Natalie Sue Pendergraft; great grandchildren, Michelle and Joshua Zett, Morgan, August, and Reese Zett, Brandon Winchester, Ager Pendergraft, and Tyler Lysek.

Family will receive friends and family on Thursday, April 11, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 7 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 203 E. 10th Street, Austin, TX 78701. Interment will follow at Assumption Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christopher House of Austin, 2820 E. MLK Blvd., Austin, TX 78702.

Published in Austin American-Statesman on April 10, 2013

>> Find a Grave

Elton Rudie Noack passed peacefully home to our Lord on Tuesday, April 16, 2013.

He was born September 30, 1927 to Carl August and Alwine Pietsch Noack in Winchester, Texas. Elton was raised and worked on a farm and attended Winchester Lutheran School. As the war arose, Elton served in the Army during WWII and again later during the Korean War. After his service he moved to Austin and attended Nixon Clay Business School, supporting himself by working the soda fountain at the Austin Hotel and in sales at the Texas Bookstore. As he was on his own in a big city, he often was unsure where or when his next meal would be, so he worked hard and studied to learn as much as he could to build a better tomorrow for himself. When he completed Nixon Clay he worked various bookkeeping jobs, sometimes holding two jobs to build that future. He worked at East End Lumber Company and then later at Crestview Builders Supply working sales and bookkeeping.

He then had an opportunity to purchase and co-own a lumber company, Campion Lumber Company. This was a significant step from his humble beginnings as he was now managing a business where others depended on him for employment. He was proud of this achievement and had the business for many years. As Austin grew and the larger firms moved in the territory, the business was sold and he decided to work bookkeeping for LeeRoy Jordan Redwood Lumber Company. He worked there until he retired.

He married the love of his life, LaVerne Riske Noack, on April 26, 1958 in Walburg, Texas. They were blessed with one daughter, Sandra and lived in Austin, Texas, where they became and remain members of Redeemer Lutheran Church. He was very close with his parents and would spend weekends with them in Smithville.

Fishing was something he enjoyed with his Father, and checking the trout lines was a must on the weekends, to be followed with a good game of dominoes later in the evening. On the weekends, the three bedroom Smithville house would be filled as Elton and his family and his sisters and their families would converge to spend time together with what mattered most, family. Elton really cherished this time together and it would fuel his drive to keep working hard. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and adored watching them grow. They always brought a smile to his face. Elton was a loving man with a wonderful sense of humor. He balanced need with a little fun and was able to build a good and very stable future for their golden years. Elton enjoyed traveling around the U.S. He wanted to see what those books were talking about. Along with traveling, hunting, fishing and dominoes were favored hobbies. We deeply miss Elton, his smile and sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl August and Alwine Pietsch Noack. Elton is survived by his wife, LaVerne; their daughter, Sandra Hale and spouse, Perry; three wonderful grandchildren, Amber, Elton and Nathan Hale; his sisters Dorine Hoskins and spouse, Bobby; Gladys Pampell; Delores Kurio and spouse, Albert; Evelyn Terry and spouse, Jerry; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening, on Friday, the 19th of April 2013, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. A funeral service will be held at ten o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 20th of April 2013, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1500 West Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas. Burial services will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Smithville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1500 West Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78757.

>> Find a Grave

Nell Rose Gore Nichols passed away on Friday, March 29, 2013.

She was born on April 11, 1923 in Taylor, Texas to Oscar Sydney and Mary Gore. She is preceded in death by her two brothers Sam Gore and J.T. Gore and her beloved husband Paul B. Nichols. Mom grew up on a farm in the Shiloh, Texas community and graduated from Thrall High School. After high school she moved all the way to Galveston to work. She met dad and they were married before he went overseas to serve in World War II. Mom moved to Austin while dad was away and began her long association with working for the federal government. She also worked for First Baptist Church in the 1960’s. When she retired she was working at the Social Security Administration. Mom’s favorite things were family, church, and travel. She and dad traveled to Europe, Russia, China and the Middle East taking the most beautiful pictures and creating a lifetime of memories.

Nell is survived by daughter, Lynda Williams and granddaughter Kara Roper; son, Dr. Bob Nichols, wife Laura and grandchildren Rebekah Nichols, Rachael James, and Ben Nichols along with eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Sam’s daughter, Louise Grose and many treasured nieces and nephews from dad’s side of the family. Mom was blessed to have two precious bonus daughters, Sharon Lafayette and Gloria White, and bonus son Nick Coburn.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 2nd, at Austin Memorial Park, followed by a Memorial Service at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 901 Trinity, Austin, TX 78701. The family would like to thank the staff at Emeritus at Spicewood Springs, especially Sam, Heather, Tom and Ben. She could not have been cared for better. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church.

Published in Austin American-Statesman from March 31 to April 1, 2013

MOKRY, Gilbert, 68, of Thrall died Sunday. Visitation 6 p.m. and rosary 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Gabriels Funeral Chapel, Georgetown. Services 2 p.m. Thursday, St. Helen Catholic Church, Georgetown.

Published in Austin American-Statesman on April 24, 2013

RIEGER, Donald Ray, 74, of Thorndale died Wednesday. Survived by wife Annette.

Visitation 5 p.m. today, Providence Funeral Home, Taylor. Services 2 p.m. Sunday, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Thorndale. Burial St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery, Thorndale.

Published in Austin American-Statesman on April 13, 2013

>> Find a Grave