Ansel B. Holmstrom

Ansel Berthren Holmstrom, 90, of Jonah, went to plow Heaven’s fields on Saturday, April 20, 2013. Mr. Holmstrom was the younger of two sons born to Oscar Hilbert and Ethel Irene Palmberg Holmstrom, on December 1, 1922, in Taylor, Texas. He was baptized in Hutto Lutheran Church on August 1, 1923, and was later confirmed there on September 12, 1937.

The family resided in Jonah for ten years before moving to Granger, Texas, in 1932. Ansel and his brother, Hartwin Hilbert Holmstrom, attended three schools during their days of education in Jonah, Granger, and the Massedonia School of Grammar. Mr. Holmstrom graduated from Granger High School. He served in the United States Navy and was medically discharged prior to Pearl Harbor. He didn’t attend college, but often said that if he could have done so, that he would have attended Texas A&M University and farmed the fields at the university while studying agriculture.

Ansel married the love of his life and his bride of 60 years, Doreen Witschorke, on June 14, 1952. The couple lived in Granger, until they moved to Jonah in 1962. They had two children Carlette Etheleen Holmstrom, and Gary Ansel Holmstrom, who preceded him in death in infancy.

Mr. Holmstrom was born into a farming family and continued that tradition as long as he was physically able. He had a love of the land and farming was his passion. He farmed and ranched beginning at the age of twelve on the family land. He began as a row crop farmer and worked in the family dairy until 1957. He then continued cultivating the fields and placed special attention on cattle ranching. Mr. Holmstrom was the first to use fertilizer in Williamson County and he also humbly received the Master Farmer award for both the Taylor and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. Aside from working, Ansel and Doreen enjoyed spending time with family, visiting with friends, dancing, and playing dominoes.

Ansel was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Ethel; infant son, Gary Ansel; and brother and sister-in-law, Hartwin and Jean Holmstrom.
He leaves behind his wife, Doreen; daughter, Carlette Holmstrom Litterst and husband, Mike Litterst; granddaughters, Dana Schlabach Sitton and husband, James Sitton of Katy, Texas; Cara Schlabach Westerman and husband, John Westerman of Stafford, Texas; great-grandchildren, Hunter Anderson Sitton and Baby Westerman to be born October 2013; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Kathryn Witschorke; nephews, Dr. John Holmstrom and wife, Linda Welch; Carl Holmstrom and wife, Susan; Bert Holmstrom; Scott Witschorke; Mark Witschorke; David Witschorke; niece, Deidra Witschorke; great-nieces Ashly Holmstrom Wilson and husband, Justin Wilson; Tiffany Holmstrom Pullen and husband, Matt; Lindsey Holmstrom; Kristen Holmstrom Johnson and husband, Adam Johnson; Alison Holmstrom; great-nephews Travis Holmstrom and wife, Meredith; Weston Holmstrom; numerous great-grand nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends.

A visitation will be held at Providence Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2013. A funeral will be held at Hutto Lutheran Church at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2013. Memorials may be made in Ansel’s name to Hutto Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

Special thanks to all of the staff and friends at the Wesleyan Nursing Home for all of your care and love.