Albracht
Evelyn “Evie” Albracht, 79 from Nazareth, Texas, passed away on Nov. 8, 2022, from the cumulative effects of multiple illnesses. Born Evelyn Birkenfeld to Clarence and Margaret Birkenfeld on Sept.7, 1943, she grew up and lived in Nazareth, most of her life.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church with the Rev. Bhaskar Adusupalli, Deacon Bob Birkenfeld and Deacon Joe Hochstein as celebrants. Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery under the care of Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt. Rosary/Vigil service will be held on Friday, Nov.11, at 7 p.m. at the church.
Evelyn graduated from Nazareth High School in 1962 and married Ralph Albracht on September 12, 1963. She worked in a Dimmitt beauty shop for many years where she created many fond memories and backcombed a lot of hair. In November 1964, Evelyn and Ralph welcomed their first child, Raef. Shortly after their second child, Stacy, was born in 1969, Evelyn and Ralph moved from the west side of Nazareth to the east side of Nazareth and established a family-owned dairy farm that operated until 1997. During those years, Evelyn was known for her love of raising baby calves. It was said, “For a little bull, call Evelyn. For a lotta bull, call Ralph.”
In June of 1973, Evelyn and Ralph welcomed their third child, Shelly. The family worked together on the dairy, surviving many intense summers and cold, bitter winters. As it was Evelyn’s job to feed the livestock, she was out in the heat and the cold every day making sure everything on the farm - including her family was fed and well cared for.
In 1997, with their own children grown and married, Evelyn and Ralph decided to quit dairying and move into their “retirement” years. Neither slowed down for very long. Evelyn traded in the baby calves for baby kiddos. She began babysitting in Nazareth, which began her real legacy and life’s calling. Although there were three living children in their family, the couple had lost seven children to miscarriages along the way. Evelyn and Ralph had always wanted and dreamed of having a big family. Little did they know that God would fulfill that dream in the most wonderful Far and wide, the children came - many, though not all, the kiddos of Nazareth residents. Throughout the years, Evelyn often commented that she knew she’d better help raise good kids because those would be the adults that would take care of her and the community one day. She took her role as “second Mom” very seriously - first to her children’s friends, then to her grandkids, and then to her babysitting kids.
When the family started digging through old photos near and after Evelyn’s death, the boxes were filled with pictures, senior photos, family photos, and Christmas photos of not just her own kids and grandkids, but also of her myriad of nieces, nephews, and babysitting kids. To hear the kids tell it, Evie, as she was called, found creative uses for vinegar to keep them in line. The “binegar” was rather hated by all apparently.
Although babysitting was her true love, during her retirement years, Evelyn also enjoyed playing Solo at the Senior Citizens in Nazareth. Many a Thursday and Sunday night she would make the trek to town to “Frog, Is, Keep” her way to winning a few dollars or losing a few dimes. She “best solo do’ed” many a friend and opponent alike. Along with Solo, in her spare time or when the kids weren’t needing to be fed, changed, or “binegared,” she often solved Sudoku puzzles and put puzzles together. She also loved to listen to music and the free TV music channels playing Marty Robbins and Jim Reeves were a staple and a true blessing through the years.
In the final three years of her life, Evelyn battled several persistent and frustrating illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, and Parkinson’s. The last year of her life was spent in and out of care facilities in Amarillo, Tulia, and Dimmitt as well as in her home in Nazareth. Although her health didn’t cooperate, the care and love she had given out over the years came through in spades. Evelyn was surrounded by wonderful care workers, friends, and many family members as she battled her way through each setback and obstacle. As the Bible says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38) Evie’s life of love, grace, and gratitude is a testament and living legacy to the truth of that statement.
Evelyn is preceded in death by her son, Raef Albracht; and her parents, Clarence and Margaret Birkenfeld. Survivors include Evelyn’s spouse, Ralph Albracht of Nazareth; Stacy Wilhelm and her husband Damian Wilhelm of Amarillo; Shelly Huseman and her husband Mike Huseman; daughter-in-law Melissa Albracht of Amarillo; grandchildren, Tyler and Tanner Albracht of Amarillo, Bre Kapka and her husband Tyler of Hereford, Stefani and Andrew Wilhelm of Canyon, Kayla Wilhelm and her husband Michael Wilhelm of Amarillo, Tristen Huseman and his wife Kaelee Huseman of Dallas, Dawn Ross and her husband Aaryn Ross of Canyon, Collin Huseman of Canyon, Ethan Huseman and his fiancée, Patricia Glasscock of Canyon, and one expectant greatgrandchild, Adalynn Jo Ross; sister, Dolores Gerber and her husband Dennis Gerber of Nazareth; as well as many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers donations can be given to the Holy Family Food Pantry, c/o Holy Family Catholic Church, 210 St. Joseph St., Nazareth, TX 79063.