Thora (Toddy) Haugen George

Toddy George, beloved wife (and best friend), mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many, peacefully passed on to her heavenly home on December 18, 2018 at age 93. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, January 11, 2019, at First United Methodist Church of San Angelo. Interment will be at DFW National Cemetery at a later date. She was born on June 13, 1925 in Deridder, Louisiana - the youngest of 4 children of Scandinavian immigrants. Her childhood years were spent in Clifton and Seguin, Texas. Toddy received her Bachelor’s degree in English from North Texas State University, moving to Austin shortly thereafter to teach high school English. Phil and Toddy met on a blind date in Austin and married in Waco on September 4, 1948. They moved to San Angelo in November 1949 when Phil began coaching/teaching at what was then San Angelo Junior College. Toddy and Phil experienced the blessings of their beautiful love story for more than 70 years. Toddy set the bar for being the ultimate coaches’ wife, including serving as an “un-paid assistant coach”. Any of us who attended games during Phil’s illustrious career could hear her “coaching” from the stands. She was the #1 fan and loving critic at the same time. She served as a second mom to many of his players over the years - nursing them when they were sick, feeding them, and putting her great education and teaching talent to good use tutoring them, as needed. And she used her creativity as an expert seamstress to make the warm-up uniforms for the basketball team worn by the 1957 national junior college championship team. While Phil was recruiting and traveling with the team, she was the consummate “single mom”, keeping the household running smoothly. And when Phil’s Air Force reserve unit was called up during the Vietnam War, she kept her family moving forward without missing a beat. She worked as a realtor for several years, helping to provide financial support for her children during their college years. There was little she could not do and did not do to support Phil and her family, always with a positive attitude and good humor. Toddy was a gracious, beautiful, loving, fun, witty, multi-talented person whose faith guided every aspect of her life. She put her faith into action by serving on many committees and supporting the ministry of Calvary Lutheran Church and then First United Methodist during her 7 decades in San Angelo. Believing in the importance of giving back to her community, Toddy was very involved in many civic organizations. She served as Chairman of the Junior League Thrift Store, Drive Chairman of the San Angelo Entertainment Association, President of the San Angelo Symphony and Chair of numerous neighborhood charity drives. Toddy also served on the committee that organized the first daycare for the elderly and served on several school PTA boards as well as the State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee. In her spare time, she developed a love of bridge and was a member of several bridge clubs over the years. The positive impact of Toddy’s meaningful life will continue to influence future generations. Toddy was preceded in death by her parents, Halsten & Dagny Haugen; her sister, Esther Murrell (Dick); her brother, Robert Haugen (Florence); brother-in-law, Doyle Borchers and many dear friends. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Phil; daughters, Jennifer Hantho (Leigh) and Judy Haven; son, Michael George (Kristie); 8 grandchildren - Halsten Hantho Heintz (Rod), Michael Hantho, Erik Haven (Shannon), Krista Haven Porst (Michael), Natalie George, Stephanie George Johns (Charlie), Emily George, and Michael George (Riley); 13 great grandchildren; sister, Dorothea Borchers; several cousins, nieces and nephews, and many loving friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Phil and Toddy George Scholarship Fund at Angelo State University, Office of Development, 2601 West Avenue N, San Angelo, Texas 76904; the Haugen Family Fund at Texas Lutheran University, Office of Development, 1000 West Court Street, Seguin, Texas 78155; or to a charitable organization of your choice.