Nathzele B. Pfluger

Our beloved mother, Nathzele Pfluger, completed her earthly journey on May 31, 2024, at her home in Austin. Nathzele was born in Washington County, Texas, on August 8 (or 7), 1930, to Henry and Estella Becker. Nathzele’s parents celebrated her birthday on August 7. From Social Security documents, Nathzele learned much later that her official date of birth is August 8, 1930. This realization allowed her to celebrate her birthday for two days!

Nathzele’s family moved from Burton, Texas to Travis County, where they lived in Cele and in Pflugerville. The family ran several businesses in Pflugerville including a cafe, a laundry, and a gas station. Nathzele, with her brother Clarence and sisters worked for their parents at their station. And work, Nathzele did! Long-time Pflugerville residents have commented about how she pumped their gas, checked their tires and oil, and dragged 25 pound blocks of ice to their cars. Nathzele carried this work ethic with her always. But…she also made time at the Station to flirt and meet our dad, Vernon Pfluger.

Nathzele married Vernon at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pflugerville, Texas on June 28, 1952. The newlyweds began their married life in the William Pfluger Home in Pflugerville. In 1955, they moved to Eubank Acres and raised their family there. Nathzele remained in that home after Vernon’s death. She then moved to a nearby house with a manageable yard and fewer porch steps. Nathzele remained in her home and lived independently, with family help, until her death.

Nathzele liked spending time outdoors, though not as quite as much as Vernon did. Nathzele and Vernon fished on Lake Buchanan when they dated. They camped and boated on Lake Travis with friends. Nathzele found it to be fun, but much work for her, the camp cook! In later years, she and Vernon upscaled their camping style from a tent to a travel trailer. Nathzele found a trailer to be much nicer than tent camping!

Nathzele enjoyed square dancing with Vernon. If you are familiar with our Mom’s feisty and fun spirit, you will understand how she made square dance friends from all over and even attended a National Square Dance Convention. Vernon lost his eyesight which ended their square dancing. Nathzele became Vernon’s caregiver, as his health declined. She kept our dad going for 11 more years before he passed away. They were married for nearly 50 years.

Nathzele is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Dallas and Larry Tuff; by her daughter and son-in-law, Marcy and Thom McNeil; and her son, Bryant Pfluger. She will be missed by her four grandchildren, Jacob Pfluger and wife Ann; Jamie Pfluger Greenway and husband Ben; Sam Pfluger and wife Chelsea; and Michael McNeil and wife Rachael. Nathzele (aka Grandma, Oma, and Nathzele) leaves behind her precious great-grandchildren: Jaxson Pfluger, Lawson Pfluger, Pierson Pfluger, Arabella Greenway, Luciana Greenway, Bentley Greenway, Emery Pfluger, Charlotte Pfluger, and Cosmo McNeil. Nathzele’s family will welcome two new great-grandsons in July 2024. Nathzele is preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Pfluger, her parents Henry and Estella Becker, her brother Clarence Becker, an infant sister, Alvilda Becker, her sister Elvira Becker, her sister Joyce Becker, and sister Virginia Becker. Nathzele is also preceded in death by her son, Kenton Pfluger.

Nathzele’s family will receive guests at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, Pflugerville, Texas on Friday June 7, 2024, 6 to 8 PM. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 500 Immanuel Road, Pflugerville, Texas. Interment follows at the Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 500 Immanuel Road, Pflugerville, Texas 78660.