Eleanor Helen Haverlah Karstadt

Eleanor Helen Haverlah Karstadt passed away on January 29th, 2024 at the age of 93 years. Affectionately known by family as “Mimi” or “Mamma” has gone to her reward in heaven. She was the eldest daughter of Leon T. and Elsie Haverlah, born on Nov. 19, 1930 in San Antonio, TX.

She was baptized and confirmed as a Lutheran. Her family lived on a farm near Pawnee, Tx. When she started school she spoke German only, but quickly learned English and graduated from Pawnee High School as salutatorian of her class in 1948. After graduation she moved to San Antonio.

Eleanor graduated from Business College and was employed at Swift & Company for 5 years. Then for the next 25 years, she worked for the San Antonio Independent School District as a paraprofessional secretary where they called her “Miss Ellie”. She retired August 31,1991. While attending college she met and married Hugh Phillip “Phil” Karstadt of Assaria, Kansas. They were married for 58 years.

Eleanor was a dedicated, loving, caring, competent wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who always placed the family first. Countless memories of her are warm, positive, and never tiring. She was a good homemaker who loved to sew, cook, bake brownies and make tuna casserole. She also made lots of wild grape and dewberry jelly. She spent time quilting, making a quilt for each of her sons and each of her seven grandchildren, making flower arrangements and taking care of the flowers at church.

Eleanor enjoyed spending time with her family and baby-sitting the grandchildren. They loved to find something for her to sew and “fix”. They loved to get into “Mimi’s” jewelry and put it on. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for them. She especially enjoyed the outdoors: gardening, planting flowers and checking on the cattle at the ranch.

Eleanor also found time to be a Scout den mother, room mother and volleyball referee, also worked on the Voter Election Board for many years. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church for over 60 years, member of Retired Teachers Organization, Comanche Nutrition Center, and Southside Nutrition Center where she enjoyed playing volleyball every day. Also belonging to several Bunco clubs. She was proudly independent.

Mrs. Karstadt will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her beloved husband Phil in 2010. She is survived by son Larry & wife, Kate; Wayne & wife, Mary Ann and Kent Karstadt. Grandchildren: Elaine McClure (Russell); Katie, Jarrett, Shayna, Kelly Karstadt, Jessica Kendall (Jason) and Hannah Lambert (Stacy) 8 great-grandsons and one great granddaughter; sister Leola Stolte and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Eleanor will be returning home for burial at Karnes City Cemetery where she will join 3 generations of family at rest with her parents, grandparents and her husband and many other relatives.