Rena Faye Ihlenfeldt

Rena “Faye” Ihlenfeldt of Pflugerville passed away on Monday, December 8th, 2025, at the age of 89.

She was born January 25th, 1936, in Elgin, Texas to Chester and Rena Guynes, where she was one of seven children. She attended school in Elgin and Austin and ultimately graduated from Austin High School. Faye met her husband, Edwin “Buster” Ihlenfeldt, Jr. on a blind date set up by her sister Joyce. They were married on April 4th, 1955, and raised five children in the Austin and Pflugerville area. As Buster was an avid race car enthusiast and motorcyclist, they enjoyed many car races and motorcycle trips together. They celebrated 50 years of marriage before Buster unexpectedly passed away on April 8th, 2005.

Faye worked for 25 years at the Texas Department of Public Safety, retiring on January 31st, 1996. She made many friends there, including The Gambling Grannies. They enjoyed going to casinos as well as getting together for coffee and to enjoy each other’s company.

Faye loved her family. She was preceded in death by her husband Buster and her daughter Peggy (Johnny) Cates. She is survived by her children: Wanda (Bill) Kalmbach, Nancy Ihlenfeldt, who was also her loving caregiver in her last years, Linda (Michael) Killion, and Michael Ihlenfeldt. She has five grandchildren: Nathan (Anita) Killion, Ryan (Racheal) Kalmbach, Steven Killion (Jason), Cody (Karina) Kalmbach, and Jessica (Norman) Guerrero. She also has seven great-grandchildren: Samuel Killion, Emma Killion, Kennedy Kalmbach, Dakota Kalmbach, Emma Guerrero, Avery Guerrero, and Riley Guerrero. She also leaves behind her sisters, Joyce Bradshaw, Sharon (Rodney) Melton, and many nieces and nephews.

She was a force to be reckoned with and will be missed by her family and friends. We will also miss her famous fried chicken! Faye passed peacefully in her sleep and is now reunited with her loved ones in Heaven. A private graveside service will be held at Speir Cemetery in Elgin.