Prause

Velrie Nita Olga (Ilse) Prause, 91, of La Grange, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Velrie was born in Houston on Oct. 13, 1931, the daughter of the late Norma (Scheu) and Lee Ilse.

Velrie was raised in Warrenton and graduated from La Grange High School in 1948. She loved music and dancing. Alongside her father and sisters, as a young lady, she played trumpet with The Lee Ilse Orchestra, her father’s band. Before marriage, she worked at Fayette Memorial Hospital.

Velrie married the love of her life, Glen Arnold Prause, after he returned from the Korean War. They were married in La Grange on Nov. 30, 1952. Together they raised two sons and three daughters. She was great support to Glen and the entire Prause family while they ran the successful Prause Meat Market for many years.

She was a long-time member of Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Grange where she served for many years on the Altar Guild. She was also a long-time member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 102 and for many years sold poppies to raise money for disabled veterans.

Velrie was an avid reader and sports fan who loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and concerts. She was a homemaker at heart. She loved taking care of her children, and as the family grew and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came, she loved hosting huge family gatherings on holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. She loved to cook and bake for her family, and she enjoyed gardening, canning, and spending time outdoors.

Velrie is survived by one son: Gary Prause and wife, Connie of La Grange; three daughters: Susan Dawson and husband, Dick of Spring Branch; Nancy Wiswell and husband, Larry of Round Rock; Laurie Stork and fiancé, Jason Parks of La Grange; daughter-in-law, Jackie Prause Gest; sister-in-law, Carolyn Prause; twelve grandchildren: Amy Prause and husband, TJ; Aaron Prause; Brent Dawson and wife, Ashley; Kirk Dawson and wife, Chelsea; Kelly Wiswell; Brad Wiswell; Tyson Kurtz and wife, Katrina; Brooke Sustr and husband, Benjamin; Macee Prause and fiancé, Joshua Wagner; Caleb Parks and wife, Ashleigh; Bethany Stork; and Cole Stork; thirteen great grandchildren: Case, Clare, Avery, and Hayden Dawson; Stella and Nova Dawson; Jaxon and Jenson Kurtz; Maddie, Benjamin, and Samuel Sustr; and Scarlett and Phoebe Wagner; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glen A. Prause; son, Thomas “Tommy” G. Prause; father and mother-In-law; sisters: Leatrice Hartman and husband, Carl; Evelyn Jecmenek and husband, Leon; brother and sister-in-law, Steve Prause and wife, Dorothy; and brother-inlaw, James “Moxie” Prause.

Visitation will be held Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 110 W. Walnut St., La Grange. Funeral Services will follow at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Burial will follow at Cedar Cemetery, 3901 FM 609, La Grange.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 110 W. Walnut St., La Grange, Texas 78945.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals. com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.