Dorothy Elaine Walberg

Dorothy Elaine Walberg (Elaine), cherished wife, treasured mom, beautiful Granny, Nammie, sister, aunt, and kindest friend left this earthly life to be with Jesus on December 20, 2025.

Elaine was born on March 26, 1951 in Houston, Texas to Ernestine Alice (Allen) Holmes and Richard Jackson Holmes. Her memories of childhood included horseback riding, playing with her brother at Riverbend Country Club, her sweet kitty cat, sleepovers with her best friend, camping at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and family trips to Alabama. Elaine graduated from Robert E Lee High School and then joined her childhood sweetheart and future husband, Ronny, as a student at the University of Texas at Austin.

Blessed to find love early in life, Elaine and Ron married on December 30, 1970. Elaine completed her education at the University of Houston, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education.

Elaine had heart. Both fierce and naive, her heart spoke to anyone who met her. Her early profession focused on teaching special needs children and helping them each fulfil God’s purpose.

In 1980, Elaine and Ron found Brenham, Texas and decided to put down roots. They bought land and cows and called it Dew Ron Ranch. That fierce heart of Elaine’s always took the side of the animals when it came to care. She made sure the cows and ponies had hay and shelter, the rabbits had ice in the summer, and any bird nests were not to be destroyed until the baby birds flew away. Each dog on the ranch was either a stowaway or a rescue, and that tradition continues today.

It was of the utmost importance to Elaine to remain at home with her children until they reached school age. In 1984, Elaine was asked to be the first Director of St. Paul’s Christian Day School in Brenham, Texas. She served as their director for several successful years and always appreciated her time and friendships made there.
After retiring from St. Paul’s, she continued teaching, this time at Krause Elementary School, teaching fourth grade and then bilingual kindergarten until her retirement in 2010, earning recognition for 22 years of service with Brenham Independent School District. Her teacher friends held a special place in her life.

Throughout her life, Elaine sought to serve. In Brenham, she served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, member of the United Methodist Women, and member of the evangelism team with the Brenham First United Methodist Church for several years. Her faith was steadfast, and she believed all children were children of God. During the past few years, she and her family enjoyed attending the Cowboy Church of Brenham.

Family meant everything to her. Seldom away from her husband, Elaine’s heart was full when her children and grandchildren were around. She especially enjoyed family vacations and loved winning at Uno. Summertime meant time at the lake and the ocean. Elaine could spend all day at the beach with a good book.

She loved music and singing and playing the piano. After retirement, she and Ronny enjoyed traveling even more so and were lucky enough to share amazing trips and make everlasting memories.

Elaine was the heart of our family. She was our encourager, our defender, our conscience, our shoulder to lean on, our connection. She is missed and she is loved. Her heart continues to beat within each of us.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Ernestine Allen Moore and stepfather, Carlton Moore, Jr., Richard Jackson Holmes and stepmother, Beverly Holmes, her brother, Gary Holmes, and nephew, Matt Holmes.

Elaine is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Ronald Martin Walberg, Sr.: her first date, her last kiss, and her true love; her three children, Jenny Walberg Patterson and husband, Matthew Patterson, Connie Walberg Masterson and husband, James Masterson, Ronald Martin Walberg, Jr. (Marty) and wife, Jenifer McCain Walberg, her five grandchildren, Lainey, Caitlyn, Emily, Alice Claire, and Jace, her sister-in-law, Carol Holmes, and nephew Duke Holmes.

Memorial services will be held at Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, Texas 77833 on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Private burial will be at a later date at Prairie Lea Cemetery.