Evelyn Nelda Hilda "Noak" Kieke

Evelyn Nelda Hilda (Noak) Kieke at age 97 entered the loving arms of her heavenly God and Father, husband Nelson, and youngest daughter Lisa, on February 2, 2026. She had been surrounded by a loving family of 5 generations.
Evelyn was born in Round Top, Texas on November 12, 1928, to Willie Noak and Irene (Giese) Noak. She was the 4th of 6 children and always referenced the birth order as "girl, boy, boy, girl, boy, boy": Lydia, Kermit, Milton, Evelyn, William and Wilbert.
Evelyn was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Round Top, Texas. The Christian faith was a very important part of her life.
In those early years, walking miles to church and to the Nassau School was the norm.... unless the "rich guy from down the road picked you up in his Model T". Living life on a productive farm instilled the value of hard work. You ate what was grown in the garden; you picked eggs from the chicken house (even if there were snakes); the meat on the table was butchered by family and neighbors; the chickens really did run around with
their heads cut off. All vegetables were canned or preserved for future meals. "Waste not, want not" was the way of life. Who knew that they lived an organic life.
Evelyn Nelda Noak attended and graduated from Round Top-Carmine High School on May 27, 1946. If anyone ever asked about her graduation, she would pause and say that her classmate, who she was to walk down the aisle with, was killed in a car wreck the night before, so she ended up walking at the ceremony alone and tearfully stated that she didn't remember a dad-gum thing.
Evelyn met Nelson at a dance in Shelby, Texas. She'd seen his picture in the Fayette County Record and decided that this was the man she was going to marry. Nelson was the Salutatorian of La Grange High School and was drafted for military service shortly after graduation. He was overseas for a year and selected the boys that Evelyn could go to the prom with while he was gone, as they were the only guys that he could trust.
The couple was married on October 26, 1947, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Round Top, Texas. They were blessed with 4 children, all girls: Carol Ann; Mary Jane; Lana Dawn and Lisa Gaye. It was revealed later that Evelyn wanted all the children to have 8 letters in total in their first and middle names.
Evelyn was a homemaker while living in Industry and Fayetteville. A career change for Nelson moved the family from the rolling hills of Austin County to the "flat country" of Wallis, but still in Austin County. She entered the work force by working for Dairy Queen in Sealy. Evelyn then transitioned to become the "Avon Lady". This was meaningful to her, as stated in her own words, "I provided a service to my customers and learned to know many people that I would not have known otherwise." Selling Avon also allowed her to enjoy a vast collection of decanters. For achieving the Presidents Level in sales, cookie jars and plates were awarded and displayed in her home for all to see and enjoy.
Evelyn worked for the Wallis News Review, publishing numerous articles and photos on a weekly basis. It was important to her that the community was informed about the current events; she certainly could write a good story.
Evelyn's main career was as a Teacher's Aide at Wallis Elementary, impacting many, many students over a 20+ year career. She continued to work at the school after Nelson retired as Wallis Elementary principal, staying in contact with her "school daughters" (Barbara, Rita and Clara) even after her retirement from Wallis Elementary. She than became an active member of The Retired Teachers Association, where she attended meetings and enjoyed fellowship among friends.
Evelyn was civic minded and was an active member in the Austin County Extension Homemakers (EEA), Wallis Lions Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Texas German Society and a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church. She held an officer and leadership positions in all these organizations and was an active and or at large member until her passing.
As an Extension Education member, Evelyn participated in the Austin County Fair for decades earning Grand Champion ribbons for her canning and baking efforts. She then focused on the horticulture category, winning many "High Point" crystal vase awards. She wrote, "As luck would have it, my very first vase broke on the way home. It gave me the encouragement to try with other unusual plants for the next year." She earned many vases after that first year. There was always good-spirited competition among the Fair Exhibitors. Make no mistake, her goal was to win! Selling her home-made snacks and canned goods in the Country Store at the Fair brought her great joy and she made extra money in the process. A trip to the local Dairy Queen in Bellville became a tradition, after the fair was over.
When the Lions Club allowed women to join, Evelyn was among the first females to become a member. She was very active in all of their programs: Leader Dog for the Blind, the Lions Camp in Kerrville where she attended and sponsored several deserving students and collecting eyeglasses for the needy.
As an Amercin Legion Auxillary member, she served on commitees, worked, prepared and served food in the kitchen. Bingo was a big passion for Evelyn. Every Thursday would find her at the Wallis American Legion Hall with a minimum of 12 cards to play (not to mention pull tabs). She had her special system. The American Legion Hall was a place of many celebrations for the Kieke family.
A sports fan, Evelyn, attended the games every chance she could, and you would see her cheering at all of them. This was especially fun as it spanned 3 generations. A very special place in her heart was when Lisa earned the spot as the first Brazos Cougar Mascot 1983. All other mascots had big paws to fill.
Hosting 42 domino tournaments monthly and going on bus tours to the casinos enabled her to meet many new friends and establish life-long connections. Attending family reunions were special as it allowed her to visit and catch up with relatives.
It goes without saying that Evelyn lived a very full life and will be missed by many, especially the ones that knew her as "Mama, Granny and Oma".
Evelyn is survived by her daughters, Carol Ann Becka of Caldwell, Mary Jane (Janie) Stinson and Louie Seitzen of Spring, Lana Dawn and Gary Reinecker, Jr. of Orchard; grandchildren, Ryan and Heather Becka of Snook, Grant and Jill Becka of Caldwell, Seth and Melanie Becka of Caldwell, Courtney Becka Wade of Bryan, Micah Stinson of Florida, Amy Stinson of Houston, Creede and Lauren Reinecker of Cut-N-Shoot; great grandchildren, Hayden and Jenn Becka of Houston, Nelson Ryder Becka of Snook, Kylee Jo, Kelsey Ann and Kase Lane Becka of Caldwell, Morgan DeLane, Owen Coy and Easton Wayne Becka of Caldwell; Cole Alan and Gauge Michael Wade of Bryan, Harper Jane Stinson of Houston, Weston Lee and Whitley Ashton Reinecker of Cut-N Shoot; great great granddaughter, Bellamour Santi Juarez Becka; brother Wilbert Noak of Round Top; numerous nieces and nephews from Texas, Georgia, Minnesota, Montana and Rhode Island, cousins and special friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband- Nelson Norris, daughter - Lisa Gaye, parents Willie and Irene (Giese) Noak; In-laws- Ewald Sr. and Nora (Hackemack) Kieke; siblings, Lydia and Lawrence Orbeck and Martin Hoel of Cranfills Gap, Kermit and Delores Noak of Round Top, Milton and Verlene Noak of La Grange, William Noak of Round Top, Ewald Kieke, Jr of Brenham, Burney and Helen Kieke of North Kingstown, R. I.; Delton and Allyne Linke of La Grange; niece - Danae Noak; nephews - Stephen Fischer Noak, Mark Lincke, Bill Porter, Mike Huebel and Kenny Noak.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caregiving team that assisted Evelyn in these last few years. This allowed her to stay in her home where she could be visited by her special friends: Mickey, Sharon, Mary Beth, Bonnie, Mrytle and Julie.
Donations in Evelyn's memory can be made to St. John Lutheran Church of Wallis.