Holmgreen Mortuary

03/28/2026

03/27/2026

Have you heard of funeral honorariums? If you haven't, check out this brief article that answers key questions about honorariums, including what they are and who receives them. And if you have more questions, just give us a call, and we'll provide the answers you need.

Did you know that an honorarium is customary when you perform specific roles at a funeral? Check out this article to learn more!

03/27/2026

Denise Eckenrode Pierce, 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on March 24, 2026. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and stepmother whose life was a beautiful reflection of love, faith, and selflessness.

Denise was born on September 30, 1946, in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Throughout her life, her faith and dedication to her community were evident in all she did. She was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Alice/ Faith on First and faithfully served as a secretary for the First Presbyterian Church of Alice for over 10 years.

Denise was also a proud and active member of Beta Sigma Phi for over 40 years, forming lifelong friendships and giving back to her community through service and sisterhood.

Above all, Denise’s greatest pride and joy was her family. She cherished every moment spent with her daughter, Shannon, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home was filled with love, laughter, and warmth, and she created a legacy of kindness and devotion that will live on through each of them.

Denise was preceded in death by her parents, William and Joyce Eckenrode; her husband, Irvan Ray Pierce; and her sister, Vicki Gay Eckenrode.

She is survived by her only daughter, Shannon Little; her granddaughters, Carley (Bianca) Garcia and Caitlyn (Dillon) Roberts; and her great-grandchildren, Addilee and Bailee Placencio, Mycah Ortiz-Garcia, Blake Lindsey Garcia, Bentley Clegg, and Everleigh Roberts.

She is also survived by her stepdaughters, Carla (Dewayne) Berry, Tammy (Jim) Fowler, and Lori (Gene) Davis; her step-grandchildren, Candice, Christi, and Bree Berry, Chelsea (Doug) Mate, and Quint Brumley; Tristan Huerta, along with Kelly and Keith Davis. Also, her step great granddaughter Anistyn.

Denise is further survived by her only brother, Cory (Denise) Eckenrode, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Denise will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her unwavering love for her family, and the comfort she brought to those around her. She touched many lives with her compassion and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Her memory will forever remain in the hearts of her family and friends.

A special thank you to Mi Casa Hospice for the love, care, and compassion shown during her final days. Your support meant more to our family than words can express

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Dillon Roberts, Cory Eckenrode, Jim Fowler, and Gene Davis, with Bentley Clegg and Dewayne Berry serving as an honorary pallbearer.

A Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 E. Main St, Alice, Texas, 78332. The Chapel Service will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Holmgreen Mortuary followed by burial at Alice Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 E. Main St, Alice, Texas 78332.

03/27/2026

Lucia (Lucy) Gonzales Vela, age 78, passed away, surrounded by her family, on March 20, 2026. She will be remembered for her strong faith, resilient spirit, and the love she gave so freely. She was born to Manuel Gonzalez and Guadulape Perez Bryan on February 2, 1948, in Alice, Texas, where she spent much of her life before later residing in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Lucy was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love for her family was evident in everything she did. Her faith was the foundation of her life. Lucy was a devout Catholic who attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Alice, TX where she served and sang in the choir. Lucy is remembered for praying the rosary with her loved ones in mind daily. Her relationship with God was strong and unwavering, and she lived out her faith with quiet strength and devotion.

Lucy dedicated 34 years of her life serving others as a Licensed Vocational Nurse at Hospitality House in Alice, TX, a profession that reflected her compassionate and caring heart for the elderly. Beyond her career, she found joy in the simple things she loved—playing bingo and chalupa, baking for her family, creating diamond art, and watching her favorite "'storias". Lucy will be remembered for her sharp wit, her humor, her kindness, and her incredible strength. She had a way of making those around her laugh, feel loved, and feel at home. Above all, she adored her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the light of her life.

Lucy was a loving sister and a devoted friend who cherished the relationships in her life. She shared a special bond with her siblings, filled with love, laughter, and lifelong memories. She also held her many friendships close to her heart, loving her friends deeply and treating them like family. Her presence brought joy, comfort, and connection to all who were blessed to know her.

Lucy is survived by her children, Ann Marie (David) Godines and Pedro “Pete” Vela. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Kriselda Marie (Jonathan) Fuentes, Michelle Godines (Richard) Ramirez, Jon David Godines, and Brianna Vela, along with her beloved great-grandchildren whom she adored: Josiah Fuentes, Grace Fuentes, Judah Fuentes, Micah Fuentes, Olivia Godines, Robert Andres Ramirez and Cecilia Ramirez.

She is also survived by her brother Manuel Gonzales Jr., her sister Lupita (Alfredo) Alegria, her sister Maria Aurora Gonzales, her sister Anselma Gonzales, and her brother Alfred Bryan. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Lucy is preceded in death by her parents Manuel Gonzales and Guadulape Perez Bryan, her former husband Baltazar Vela, her brother Felix Gonzales, and her sister-in-law Lydia (Manuel) Gonzales.

She touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing her. Though our hearts ache in her absence, her love surrounds us, her memory comforts us, and her spirit will remain with us always. Her legacy will continue to live on in every heart she touched. Those who leave us with a lifetime of memories are never truly gone from our hearts. Her loved ones find peace in knowing she is now at rest in the presence of the Lord.

May the light of heaven shine upon her and may she dwell forever in God's presence, where she finds perfect peace.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Holmgreen Mortuary in Alice, Texas with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Alice, Texas. Interment will follow at Collins Cemetery in Alice, Texas.

03/27/2026

Elsie Alta Conley passed away peacefully on March 19, 2026 in Alice, Texas at the age of 91. She was married to her loving husband, Walter Stasny, for 59 years until he passed in 2022. A few years before he passed, her husband Walter asked his best friend, Tony Beltran, to take care of “his baby” (Elsie) if Walter preceded her in death. True to his word, Tony stopped by every day after work to check on and visit with her from the day Walter died until she passed on March 19.

Elsie was born November 29, 1934, to Lonzo and Beulah (Mason) Conley in Clegg, Live Oak County, Texas. She was the youngest of six children. She graduated from George West High school in 1953 after the family moved to Lagarto, TX. She met the love of her life, Walter Stasny, after asking him to go to a Christmas party with her. After that first date they were inseparable. She married Walter on Jan 12, 1963 at the Baptist Church in Mathis, Texas and they lived out their lives in Alice, Texas. Elsie was a secretary before marrying, and once married she kept the books for Walter’s business for a few years. She was also a homemaker who enjoyed sewing, embroidery, crocheting, bowling and traveling with her husband Walter. One of Elsie’s favorite things to do was to take her mother, Beulah Conley, and herself once a week to the hairdresser for a shampoo and set. There they would meet with friends and catch up on the goings on in Alice and the surrounding areas.

Elsie and Walter were longtime members of the Alice Country Club and would frequent local restaurants in Alice including Chentes, Wayne's, and the Alice Country Club. They enjoyed going to the Kings Inn in Riviera and the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi for brunch on weekends to share a meal and visit with Elsie’s family. Elsie and Walter loved to travel and went on cruises to Hawaii, Alaska and Canada, and enjoyed vacationing in different states in America.

Elsie is preceded in death by her husband Walter, her parents Lonzo and Beulah, brothers Dee, Glennis, and Erbie Conley, and sisters Mildred Irene (Conley) Stinnett and Ruby Lea Conley. She is survived by five nieces and nephews, Terri StinnettHerczeg, Melissa Conley Polk, Dan Welch, Erbie M. (Rusty) Conley II and Keith Wright along with their children and multiple grandchildren.

The Conley family takes great solace knowing that Elsie is with the love of her life, Walter Stasny, she is no longer in pain and is finally at peace.

A Visitation will be held Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM with a Chapel Service to be held at 2:00 PM at Holmgreen Mortuary 2061 E. Main Street Alice, Texas 78332. Burial will follow at Alice Cemetery.

03/25/2026

Becoming a grandparent is such an exciting milestone! In this article, learn how Michelle Pfeiffer is embracing her new role as a grandmother.

The star says she wouldn’t have taken so many new roles — but she loves her latest one

03/23/2026

03/20/2026

The more personal a funeral service is, the more meaningful it will be for the entire family. To help your family brainstorm possible ways to create a truly one-of-a-kind final goodbye, check out this list of 10 ideas to consider. And if you don't find something that feels right, this list is only the beginning. We're happy to sit down with you and come up with even more ideas to create the perfect sendoff.

To be meaningful and healing, a funeral must be personal. Check out this article for 10 ideas to create a truly unique final tribute.

03/20/2026

Winter is past. Spring has come. After long and difficult winters, spring is a welcome change. Do you have any plans for this spring that you're looking forward to?

03/18/2026

As we age, we may require a different fitness routine to meet the needs of our changing bodies. This article offers guidance on modifying exercises to meet your individual fitness needs!

Getting more birthdays under your belt? That doesn't mean you have to stop working out.

03/17/2026

Gregory Michael Edelen, 78, of Alice, TX passed away, Sunday, March 15, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 22, 1948, in Kyoto, Japan to the late LTC (Ret) Joseph and Marilyn Edelen.

Greg attended college at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX where he met and married his wife, Lauren Elayne Sowa; they were married 55 years. After college Greg served in the United States Army and was stationed in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. After leaving the service, Greg and Lauren briefly lived in Bloomfield, Nebraska and Kingsville, TX before settling in Alice where they have remained for the last 50 years. Greg and Lauren eventually purchased land west of Alice and Greg turned his favorite hobby of farming into a lifetime career. Greg was an active member of the local farming community and huge promoter of land conservation and preservation. He was a member of the Texas Farm Bureau where he served as president from 2013-2016. In 2025 he was awarded the Texas Farm Bureau Pioneer award for District 13. Greg’s love for the land and its proper care inspired him to go full-time into row crop farming in the mid 80’s. In the late 90’s his passion for quality natural foods helped grow a successful grass-fed beef and pastured poultry business that is now run by his son Andrew. Greg was also an active member of his parish and devoted to his catholic faith evident by his past participation in the church choir, marriage preparation ministry, and serving as a eucharistic minister. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2992 and is a Fourth Degree Knight. Family was a huge part of Greg’s life; he was the 2nd oldest of 10 children. Lauren and he raised 6 children, who blessed them with many grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Greg has greatly enjoyed travelling around the country while visiting and vacationing with all of them, it was always a little loud, but a lot of fun and the love could be felt by all.

Greg was proceeded in death by his son, Robert, his parents, his brother, Joe, sister, Mary, and nephew, Anthony.

He was survived by his wife, Lauren, 3 sons Michael (Jennifer) Edelen, James (Leslie) Edelen, Andrew (Kaylyn) Edelen, 2 daughters, Sharon (Jerry) Caanen, Angela (Scott) Kilgore, 20 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held Friday,March 20, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with the Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM at Holmgreen Mortuary 2061 E. Main St. Alice, Texas. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday,March 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Alice, Texas followed by a Burial at Alice Cemetery.

**In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Alice, TX.**

03/17/2026

The color green has long been associated with Ireland, so it makes perfect sense that we should wear green to honor St. Patrick's Day. Do you wear anything special to celebrate St. Patrick's Day?