Dates
“I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you… Isaiah 41:10
Loving mother, Emma Clara Ida Nitsche Budewig entered God’s Kingdom on December 22, after battling Dementia for a number of years. God had blessed her with 100 years of life; for that the family is eternally grateful.
Emma was born to Herman and Clara Nitsche on February 27, 1924, in Serbin, TX. She was baptized and confirmed and attended school at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Serbin, TX. Being the baby of the family, she often was the instigator of revelry and good-natured teasing among her siblings, especially when she chose to be in the kitchen with her mother rather than the cotton fields with her brothers. Her adventurous spirit led her to leave her home in Giddings, TX, to pursue employment in Houston, TX. Her first job was at Weldon’s Cafeteria, where she rose through the ranks of line server to supervisor.
Emma was a social creature, enjoying time with her girlfriends, Rosie and Rabbit. This triad would regularly frequent, a dancing night spot called “Dokies.” It was there she met a handsome Air Force airman, Leonard Budewig, who became the love of her life and later married. Emma and Leonard enjoyed the military lifestyle and the traveling that goes with it. They were married for 38 years and had two children, Robert and Glenn.
In addition to being a dedicated and loving wife and mother, Emma enjoyed sewing for her family and friends and was employed as a seamstress for Cloth World in Pasadena, TX. Emma was a loyal servant to God, being an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Pasadena, TX, serving on the Dorcas Guild, making quilts, banners and Chrismons for the church and community. Throughout Emma’s entire life she held an unwaivering faith in God.
Now that Emma has passed into the arms of our Lord, we should remind ourselves that while this is the end of Emma’s physical life on Earth, it’s the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for her. Emma joins her family in heaven who have already passed into glory: her father, Herman Nitsche and mother, Clara Nitsche, brothers, Louis, Robert, and Emil Nitsche, sisters Louise Stuessy and Ruth Sledge, and Emma’s husband, Leonard Budewig, son, Glenn Budewig, and grandson, Aaron Budewig. Emma is survived by many loving family members, including son, Robert Budewig and his wife Nancy of San Angelo, TX and grandchildren Joy Harms and her husband Brian Harms of Boston, MA, Austin Budewig of San Angelo, TX, and Ashton Kurtz and husband Jason of Woodward, OK, great grandchildren, Clara, Ella, Audra, and Laura Harms, Dakota Alexander, and Dean and Gabby Kurtz, and numerous nieces and nephews.
On December 31, 2024, Emma was laid to rest beside her husband, Leonard, at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Houston, TX. Emma’s, son Rev. Robert Budewig presided over the burial. A Service of Celebration will be held on Saturday, January 18th, at 2:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church/San Angelo, TX.
The family wishes to thank the Rev. Allan Eckert, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, for his spiritual support over the years, as well as The Springs Memory Care and Gentiva Hospice for their loving care. We especially thank everyone for their prayers and words of comfort.
“We rejoice in the promise of eternal life.” “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to:
Trinity Lutheran Church
3536 Lutheran Way
San Angelo, Tx 76904
The Springs Memory Care
6102 Grand Ct Rd
San Angelo, Tx 76901