Twyla Lemar Henze Nau, age 77, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on October 30, 2014, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, TX.
A native of Yorktown, TX, she was born on June 12, 1937, to the late Gerhardt Gus Henze and the late Sadie Henze. She was married to her husband of 48 years, the late Travis Wayne Nau, until his death in 2004.
A long-time resident of Nederland, TX, she was a member and former choir director at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Nederland.
Twyla began teaching at Nederland ISD in the 1973-1974 school year. In 1975 during her first year at NHS, she started the iconic show choir, Ned & Company. She was the director of Ned & Co. and choir until her retirement in 2009, where she influenced hundreds of students to develop and hone their musical talents. Each year, she took Ned & Co. students on tour to different schools across Texas, as well as on several camping and beach trips. She considered Ned & Co. members to be family. Through music, she has impacted so many families in the community, leaving a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
She is survived by her daughters, Laurie Stevenson and husband, Scott, of Nederland, and Cory Nau of Lewisville, TX; her sister, Gerry Riske and husband, Victor, of Yorktown; her sister-in-law, Judy Zizmont and husband, Ed, of Nederland; and two granddaughters, Erica Gremillion and husband, Brandon of Houston, TX and Jill Stevenson and fiancée, Beau Blackwell, of Nederland. She is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Sage Paisley Gremillion, and many loved nieces and nephews.
A gathering of Mrs. Nau’s family and friends will be from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 2, 2014, at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2711 Helena Avenue, Nederland. Her funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 3, 2014, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Nederland, under the direction of Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Additional services for Mrs. Nau will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday November 4, 2014, at Massey Funeral Home, 779 North Riedel Street, Yorktown, with interment to follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Yorktown.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Nau’s memory to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2711 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627 and St. Paul Lutheran Church, 234 North Gohmert Street, Yorktown, Texas 78164.
