Luella Agnes (Walsh) Holdgrafer, 98

Published 10:05 am Thursday, January 13, 2011

Luella Agnes (Walsh) Holdgrafer, 98, of Austin, passed away in her sleep on Saturday, Jan. 8, at Sacred Heart Care Center.

Luella Holdgrafer

Luella was born on a farm outside of Austin on Nov. 5, 1912, to John and Clara (Enright) Walsh. She lived most of her life in and near Austin. Luella graduated from Austin High School in 1930. On May 30, 1934, she married Herbert H. Holdgrafer at St. Augustine Catholic Church. They were blessed with five children. Herb passed away in 1991.

Luella worked on the school lunch program at Queen of Angels and St. Edwards Schools for a total of 13 years and then in restaurants as a cook until she retired. She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary for more than 30 years and the Women of the Moose for 25 years, serving in different capacities. Luella volunteered her time at both of these organizations and is most remembered for her contributions to the Friday fish fry at the Eagles.

Survivors include her son, Charles (Ruthie) Holdgrafer; daughters, Lois Flatness, Barbara (Collin) Roverud, Corinne (Thomas) Johnson, DeAnna (Brian) Bushlack; sisters, Irene Eastlee, Dorothy Weis; brothers, Claire Walsh, Paul Walsh; sisters-in-law, Jean Walsh, Marion Holdgrafer, Ethyl Bellrichard; brothers-in-law, John Dack, Harold Holdgrafer; 23 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; one great-great-great-grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Herb; parents; brothers, Frances “Red”, Ed, John “Jack” and infant brother, James Walsh; sister, Mary Dack; son-in-law, Richard Flatness; grandson, Mark Mouw; infant great-granddaughter, Christy Sumner.

The family is extremely grateful to the staff at Sacred Heart Care Center for its excellent care and to Father Zenk and Father Fogal for their visits and support.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 17, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Joe Fogal officiating. There will be a 3 p.m. Eagle’s Auxiliary ritual and a 3:30 p.m. wake service on Sunday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

The honorary casket bearer will be Luella’s godson, Gary Walsh. The casket bearers will be Luella’s grandchildren: Mike Mouw, Montgomery Mouw, Abby Bushlack, Joe Bushlack, Katie Johnson and Tim Holdgrafer.