Vera Mikulencak

1940 - 2025

Vera Mikulencak

Apr 16, 1940 - Apr 17, 2025

Elvira Mikulencak, 85, of Woodway, died on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

Rosary recited at 11AM Monday, May 5 followed by Memorial Mass: Noon Monday, May 5 at St. Jerome Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow at St. Jerome Catholic Church Columbarium.

Vera was born April 16, 1940 in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. She was the daughter of Giuseppe and Antonietta Mangiacotti. Vera immigrated to the United States in 1952 to live with her uncle and aunt, Matteo and Eva Mangiacotti, in New York, NY, where she attended school. In 1959, she moved to Houston, Texas, to attend the Sacred Heart Dominican College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1963. After college, she worked as an elementary school teacher and married the love of her life Albert F. Mikulencak, Jr. in 1964. In 1967, the couple moved to Waco, TX.

Vera was a devoted wife to her beloved Al for 42 years. She was a super-mom of six children and routinely seen around town hauling her pack in a station wagon (and later in a Lincoln town car) from school to church to dance lessons to soccer practice. As her children became adults and married, Vera warmly welcomed their spouses into the family. To her grandchildren, she was known as Nonna and was a larger than life figure in their lives with her fashionable sunglasses, perfect nails, and beautifully coiffed hair. The boundless love she gave her family was truly wondrous.

Vera had a big heart, which she shared with countless friends and relatives throughout her life. She loved gardening, tennis, cooking, playing mahjong and bridge, and always had an open door for her neighbors (and often a rum cake). She adored birds and always made sure her feeder was well-stocked with only the choicest birdseed. Vera left this world surrounded by the love of her family and in the home she spent her life building. She will be greatly missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Dr. Albert F. Mikulencak, Jr.; parents, Giuseppe and Antonietta (Longo) Mangiacotti and Matteo and Eva Mangiacotti; and in-laws, Ann and Albert Mikulencak, Sr.

Survivors include her six children, April Sewell (Gary), Lisa Ann Mikulencak (Bernhard Kohlmeier), Albert Mikulencak, III., Laura Helpert (Chris), Duane Mikulencak, and Paul Mikulencak (Kailey); grandchildren, Roy Sewell, Matteo Danis, Lorenzo Danis, Dominic Danis, Sofia Helpert, Augustus Helpert, Mia Helpert, Jude Mikulencak, Ivan Mikulencak, Henry Mikulencak, Elliot Mikulencak, and Lucy Mikulencak; great grandchild, Lily Sewell; brother, Matteo Mangiacotti (Emma Negrisolo); sister, Graziela Mangiacotti; and numerous other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.LakeShoreFH.com.

Lake Shore Funeral Home & Crematory

5201 Steinbeck Bend, Waco