Services for Nicolasa Zárate, 78, of Killeen, Texas will be at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. followed by graveside services at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 3 p.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
Mrs. Zárate passed away on June 3, 2015, after a long battle with kidney disease and late-diagnosed cancer.
A daughter of the Rio Grande Valley, Nicolasa or Nikki (as she was known by many in Killeen) was born on September 12, 1936 in Brownsville, Texas to Maria Elena Lopez and Refugio Alcantar Jr. Nicolasa was married to Eloy E. Zárate on August 15, 1955 and as a U.S. Army wife she supported her husband’s deployments to Germany, Washington state, Vietnam, and Korea. As a resident of Killeen since 1967, she was proud of her work as a rural route carrier for the United States Postal Service in Killeen.
As a skilled seamstress, Nicolasa made many of her children’s clothing and was ahead of her time with culinary fusions. Despite the challenges, Nicolasa fulfilled the military wife’s duties of a single mother throughout her husband’s deployments, skillfully made the most of a limited budget, and managed the household throughout her life. Beloved by many, Nicolasa was known for her humor, caring spirit, and as an avid shopper and “hibiscuits” lover. Throughout her life’s journey and its many challenges, it was her love of family and her faith that sustained her.
Nicolasa was preceded in death by her husband Eloy; parents, Refugio and Maria Elena Alcantar, brothers, Eliseo and Jose; and sister, Olga.
Survivors include; her sisters Angie and Gracie; daughters, Laura and Lourdes; son, Alex; and grandchildren, Marcel and Maya Rivarola.
Visitation is from 11 am at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen prior to the service. The rosary ceremony will begin at 1 pm.
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