Evelyn Marie Luksa Miller passed away on January 9, 2017 at the age of 89. She was born on December 1, 1927 in Caldwell, Texas. Evelyn was the youngest of four girls and grew up on the family farm, near Caldwell. At the time, Caldwell was a predominately Czech community. As a result, Evelyn developed a deep and lifelong love and appreciation for her Czech culture and ancestry.
Evelyn graduated from Caldwell High School in 1944 and immediately, with her older sister Milady, moved to Austin. Once in Austin she quickly found a job in the Stamp Department at the Steck Company. Evelyn met her future husband, Jack Miller, while they were both working at the Steck Company. Jack had just returned from serving in the US Navy during WWII. Jack and Evelyn soon began dating. Jack thought Evelyn was very attractive, but somewhat shy, so it took a while for their romance to bloom. They began dating though she was somewhat embarrassed to be seen riding in his old 1933 Buick. According to Jack, their romance improved greatly when he bought a 1939 Pontiac. Evelyn and Jack became engaged in December 1947 and married on August 31, 1949. Evelyn also worked at Yaring’s downtown Austin and as a hostess at the Night Hawk restaurant in their early married life.
Upon returning from their honeymoon, Evelyn and Jack bought their first home in Travis Heights. Two years later they sold that house and built another house in Northeast Austin. It was in this home that they raised their only child, Jackie, who was born on September 2, 1954. They joined the First United Methodist Church in Austin in 1956.
Jack and Evelyn owned and operated Custom Bookbinders where Evelyn was the office manager and bookkeeper while Jack oversaw the bindery from 1966 until their retirement in 2003. Evelyn and Jack led a busy and active life. Evelyn never met a stranger and has touched many lives. She loved traveling and visiting casinos where she liked playing the slots. Evelyn enjoyed playing 42 and also loved music and dancing. For about 35 years they were Friday night regulars at Donn’s Depot on W 5th Street in Austin. She particularly loved sitting near the piano while watching and listening to Donn play.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents John F. and Annie Kovar Luksa as well as her sisters Lydia Boone, Milady Walker and Ella Horak. Evelyn is survived by her husband of 67 years, Jack Miller. She is also survived by her daughter and son-in-law Jackie and George Vanderhule of Driftwood; her grandson Russell Manley and wife Karina of Austin; her step-grandson Trey Vanderhule and wife Shannon and their two children Micaela and Tristan of Southlake; sister-in-law Claylia Miller of Liberty Hill and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Friday, January 13, 2017 at Harrell Funeral Home, 1715 Kirby, and Kyle, Texas. Friends are invited to return to Harrell Funeral Home on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11:00 am for Evelyn’s funeral service with interment following at 3:00 pm at Cook Walden Capitol Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville. Pallbearers are: Glenn Boone, John Hall, Don Hurst, Russell Manley, Billy Sanders and Collin Teuton.
The family would like to thank the staff at both Orchard Park Assisted Living / Memory Care and Brodie Ranch Shilled Nursing Center for taking care of Evelyn the past 2 ½ years.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Endowment Fund at First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca, and Austin Texas 78701 or to Alzheimer Research, UT Southwestern Medical Cemetery, Office of Development, PO Box 910888, Dallas TX 75391-0888.
Please visit www.Harrellfuneralhomes.com to share a fond memory, photograph, or condolence with Evelyn’s family on her On-line memorial site.
Funeral assistance provided by Harrell Funeral Home 1715 Kirby Lane, Kyle, TX 78640 (512) 268-8200
