Laura Elizabeth Travis

Laura Elizabeth Travis passed away peacefully on December 9, 2021 at the age of 90. She was born September 20, 1931 in New Braunfels, Texas to Laura Louisa and William Gerhard Kuehler, and was one of 6 children living and working on the family farm during the great depression. After graduation from high school in New Braunfels, she attended Incarnate Word College in San Antonio. She and her High School sweetheart, Neil Barrett Travis were married on April 25, 1953.

In 1955 she gave birth to their first son Barry. They moved several times with Neil’s career, first moving to Wichita Falls then moved back to New Braunfels where they gave birth to their second son Mark, and shortly thereafter moved to Austin where their third son Jeff was born. After a short move to La Marque for 3 years, they made Austin their permanent home in 1965 where their daughter Sharon was born.

Laura and Neil raised their children in an atmosphere of love and support. She is survived by her four children, all living in Texas, Barry S. Travis and wife Sherry of Round Rock, Mark W. Travis and wife Cheryl of Plano, Jeffrey S. Travis and wife Margie of Fulshear and Sharon R. Von Wupperfeld and her husband Christian of Austin. Her extended family now numbers forty-one, including ten grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.

From the beginning of her marriage to Neil and throughout both their lives, their focus remained on growing and nurturing the family. The family always came first with Laura, along with countless baseball games, scouting events, band concerts, football games (mostly for the halftime shows) and so many other events to support her children’s education, development and quality of their life. We were so lucky to have a mother who was so supportive, encouraging and committed to her children. A loving mother and wife, Laura taught her children to be responsible and self-reliant with a dose of stubbornness when necessary. She was a great chef and baker and she passed many of those skills and recipes to her children and their children.

Once Laura’s children left the home, her focus turned to public service, supporting Neil’s career and the growth of her children’s families. Laura joined the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, whose focus is to perpetuate the memory and spirit of those who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas. She served in the William Barret Travis Chapter of DRT for more than 15 years. She served as Recording Secretary, Chapter President, First Vice President, and was the District 8 representative for 3 years. She also served on the French Legation Committee for 9 years.

She and Neil traveled extensively to spend time with the family and continuing their volunteer work with the Daughters and Sons of the Republic. But most importantly, they were always there for births, birthdays, baby sitting, moving and helping whenever needed. Laura and Neil also continued a family tradition of reunions and Thanksgiving gatherings; traditions which their children have continued and will pass on to their children because the most important thing we learned from our parents was to keep the family together.

Laura was preceded in passing by her parents, her husband of more than fifty years, Neil Barrett Travis and her brothers Berthold, Gerhard, Robert, Bill, and her sister Virginia.

The family will receive friends and family at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd in Austin on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 5-7 PM. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd in Austin. The memorial service will be followed by a burial service at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery at 14501 N. Interstate Highway 35, Pflugerville, TX 78660.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to William Barret Travis DRT, 16805 Rocky Ridge Rd., Austin, TX 78734.