Lillian Jarvis Venglar Henderson Ehlert February 19, 1932 — March 28, 2026

Lillian was born at home on what was known as the Dodd Place in the Wood Hi Community on February 19, 1932 to Frank and Mary Kasmir Venglar. She attended school in the Wood Hi Community and was a 1950 graduate of Patti Welder High School in Victoria, Texas.

Lillian married Jack Denton Henderson on August 19, 1950 in Edna, Texas. They first made their home in Point Comfort then moved to Lolita in 1954 where she resided until 2023 when she transitioned into assisted living in Edna and El Campo and then to the Ganado Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Ganado, Texas. After Jack’s sudden passing in 1977, Lillian later found love again and married W.A. Ehlert in 1981 of which he later passed in 2005.

Lillian was very proud to be a homemaker and loved being in the kitchen baking and cooking for her family and friends. The coffee pot was always ready for “pop-in” company and it was known that she could whip up an amazing spread at a moment’s notice.

Lillian was an avid vegetable and flower gardener who had the most “greenest thumb” around. She believed in sharing her bounty and plants with any and everybody. She once said that she wished people would bring her “sick” instead of “dead” plants to revive. And most times with her patience and care, that plant would come back to life just thriving!

Lillian adored nature and was a true steward of the land! She was a past member of several local civic and social (coffee) clubs and was a Chartered member of the First Baptist Church of Lolita Lillian was a woman of deep faith whose daily life stood as a powerful witness to her belief in an almighty and merciful God. She loved the Lord Jesus above all, and through that abiding love and faith, she faithfully loved and served her family, friends, and community.

She is survived by her children, Johnny Lloyd Henderson and wife, Donna of Lolita and Lisa Kathleen Stancliff and husband Billy of El Campo and grandchildren, Jaclyn Hudson (Jonathan) of Ganado, Jennifer Henderson of League City, Tammy Gendke (Bobby), and Stephanie Escamilla (Jeffery) of Vanderbilt, John E. Henderson of Lolita and Kristin Janik (Jason) and Kori Berglund (Dillon) of El Campo and special niece Wanda Marthiljohni (Jake) of Victoria.

She is further survived by 19 Great grandchildren and 8 Great - Great grandchildren and extended family, Michael Ehlert Family, Merry Ehlert Lahti Family, Marsha Ehlert and Mark Ehlert Family.

Lillian is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mary Venglar, her husbands, Jack D. Henderson and W.A.

Ehlert, infant granddaughter, Brett Avery Stancliff, her sister, Hilda and brothers, William, Victor, Gilbert, Joe and Milton Venglar, daughter in law, Barbara Henderson and special niece Delores Venglar Morrison.

Visitation will be held on April 2, 2026, at 9 a.m. following with a service celebrating her life at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Lolita, Lolita Texas. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens, Edna, Texas.

Serving as Pallbearers will be granddaughters, Jennifer Henderson, Jaclyn Hudson, Kristin Janik, and Kori Berglund, Great granddaughter, Madison Hudson and special niece, Wanda Venglar Marthiljohni.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lillian’s memory can be made to the First Baptist Church of Lolita, P.O. Box 67, Lolita TX 77971, J C ESD#1 (Lolita Volunteer Fire Department), P.O. Box 455, Vanderbilt, TX 77991 or Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust Ave, Victoria, TX 77901.

Arrangements are under the direction of Slavik Funeral Home in Edna, Texas.