Nancy C. Veselka, 63, of Lorena, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of the Assumption, 1401 Washington Ave., on Thursday, May 5 at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Nancy was born in Waco, TX on September 29, 1952, the only child of Billie J. (Johnson) Haake and Edward C. Haake. Nancy had a step sister, Linda.

She graduated from Reicher High School, Class of 1971. After school she worked at SMI and Cox’s .
After a successful career with Southland Corp., her loving husband and high school sweetheart, Daniel, moved her and their family back to Waco and purchased Holiday Ice from Ennis Boyette in the fall of 1981. Later in 1996, Nancy and Daniel retired from the ice business and worked in antique and retail sales, as well as estate sales until 2003. After the sale of the highly successful Antique Shop and Mary Engelbright Shop, she retired to be with her grandson “LD” and work in her garden and play with her roses and flowers.

Though Nancy accomplished much in the business world, in her opinion, her greatest accomplishments in life was marrying her high-school sweetheart Daniel J. Veselka on August 12, 1972 and the births of their two children, son, Christian Joseph Veselka on June 22, 1973 and daughter, Angela Marie Veselka on February 12, 1975.

Always the family matriarch, Nancy received great joy in the birth of her grandson, Daniel Mitchell Veselka (LD) who was always the sparkle in her eyes, and then with the birth of Ronnie Joseph Veselka, she was overjoyed with the blessings of two grandchildren to play with and have many fun playdates. The Veselkas are longtime members of St. Louis Catholic Church. She was a devout Christian, wife, mother, and friend. Nancy had profound respect for the world around her.

Nancy was strong, savvy, and a shrewd business woman. She was so full of life and cared for her children so very much, especially Angela, who was the twinkle in her eyes. Her strengths and talents will ever be present through her friends and family. She never knew a stranger and was respected by all that knew her. Nancy will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her children, son, Christian Veselka and wife, Renee, and their sons, Daniel Veselka and Ronnie Veselka; daughter, Angela Veselka; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronnie Veselka and wife, Cathy, Doug and Cecilia Haferkamp, Margie Veselka and Connie Veselka; Dorothy and Michael Gonzalez; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Patrick Knapp, Clayton Allison, Jeremy Veselka, Isreal Veselka, Mark Veselka, Nicholas Haferkamp.