To Celebrate a Life of Love: Arlene Kreitz Hengst

Arlene Kreitz Hengst entered eternal rest December 19, 2020 at the age of 89.

Born November 11, 1931 in San Antonio, Texas to Elizabeth and Anton Kreitz, Arlene was a life-long resident of the city. She attended St. Cecilia’s Catholic School and graduated from Incarnate Word High School in 1947, with a focus in piano performance. After attending business school, she worked at Brooks Air Force Base and Straus Frank Company.

She met the love of her life, Lawrence Hengst, at a local dance. She often told her children that she loved Larry’s beautiful blue eyes and his dancing skills. They were married 50 years, during which time she supported and assisted her husband’s homebuilding company while raising 4 children. She worked tirelessly for her children as a room mother and PTA member. As her children grew, she and Larry volunteered many hours with the Churchill High School Band Parents in support of group and individual performance and competition.

As a devout Catholic, Arlene lived her faith in many ways. She was one of the founding members of Blessed Sacrament and Holy Spirit parishes in San Antonio. She shared her gift of music as a church organist and choir member and lector. After suffering the loss of her son Ross in 1976, she offered compassion and a listening ear to many who suffered similar losses. She was a natural caretaker to anyone who needed help, especially in the care of her parents and in-laws in the last years of their lives. She spent her last years as a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in San Antonio.

Arlene’s greatest joy in the second half of her life was being Grammy to her grandchildren. She loved to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and everyday life with joy and generosity. Whether taking the children camping, attending school concerts, or shipping surprise gifts by way of the ‘big brown truck,’ her best day was any day she got to speak to or hug one of her family members.

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Larry and son Ross Alan Hengst. She is survived by children Lawrence Wayne Hengst of San Antonio, Karen Hengst May and husband Doug of McKinney, TX, Dianne Patricia Hengst of San Antonio, daughter-in-law Donna Nicol Hengst of San Antonio and grandchildren Ryan Hengst of San Antonio, Melissa Hengst of Las Vegas, NV, Allison May of Reno, NV and Caralyn May of McKinney, TX.

The funeral Mass will be held Monday, December 28, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. A graveside service will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Mausoleum and Cemetery. For those wishing to attend services virtually, you may do so at https://youtu.be/LcX-2RRM7eo.