Roll Call Tribute

Erica Marie Garza 

January 27, 1975 - May 21, 2024 

On May 21, 2024, God brought another angel home. Dr. Erica Marie Garza Spillmann departed our world peacefully surrounded by her family whom she loved so dearly.

Erica was born on January 27, 1975, to Roger Garza and Janice Goerke Garza in Houston, Texas. She was raised in Marion, Texas and graduated from Marion High School in 1993. In High School, Erica was involved in many activities and organizations including National Honor Society, Student Council, Dance Team, Homecoming Candidate, Business Professionals of America, and Rodeo competitions. After High School, Erica enrolled in Southwest Texas State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. During High School and while at Southwest Texas State, Erica was very involved in her rodeo career. She was named Miss Roundup of Guadalupe County in 1992. She traveled with her mom and Dad all over the state of Texas entering Rodeo competitions. She and her beloved horse, Rosco, participated and won events in barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending, breakaway, and team roping. She won numerous belt buckles, saddles, and even a horse trailer. Erica was so proud and honored to have been able to attend the college National Finals in Goat Tying. She may not have placed but she had a great time and a wonderful experience.

After graduating from SWTSU, Erica attended Texas A&M University in College Station and earned her Doctorate in Veterinarian Medicine. She did a one-year internship in Los Angeles, California and upon her return she was hired by Ben White Animal Hospital in Austin, Texas where she fulfilled 20 years of employment. She loved her job and worked full time until she reluctantly had to take a medical leave of absence last November. Dr. Garza became the face of VCA Ben White Animal Hospital, as is evident from their billboard on Hwy. 71 in Austin. She loved and was loved by her supervisors, staff, patients, and clients. A quote from her supervisor: “I have worked with a lot of doctors for over 35 years in vet medicine, there is no other human in VCA that I can think of that is more deserving of the Caring (Gentle Veterinarian) Award. She makes pets and humans feel special and valued with every interaction.” Dr. Garza received many awards throughout her veterinarian career, and she was extremely honored to receive each and every one.

Erica was also a much-loved and very active member of the South Austin Rotary Club. She lived by the motto “Service Above Self”. She held multiple positions including club secretary, club treasurer, vice-president, and president. She received multiple awards including South Austin Rotarian of the Year, Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International Group Study Exchange Student Sponsor, and Rotary Roll of Fame award. Erica was absolutely a proud and respected Rotarian. Her biggest accomplishment while in the Rotary Club was meeting the love of her life Landon Keith Spillmann. After they were introduced at a Rotary meeting, they immediately began dating and became inseparable. They married on April 26, 2014, at Lost Pines in Bastrop, Texas. It was a beautiful ceremony with all her family and friends there to share in her special day. Erica and Landon enjoyed 10 beautiful years together.

Erica never met a stranger. She was friendly, outgoing, kind, compassionate, intelligent, funny, loving, and will always be remembered for her beautiful smile and her big heart. She loved animals from a very young age and was destined to be a veterinarian where every day she displayed her utmost compassion, willingness, and determination to help any animal brought to her by her clients. She loved spending time with her family. She never missed a holiday or get together with her parents, siblings, niece, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She also loved spending time with her abundance of friends. Musicals and going to the theater were two of Erica’s most enjoyable passions. When she had time, she was also very creative and loved to craft. She proved this when she made all the decorations for her wedding.

Erica was preceded in death by her grandparents, Werner Goerke and Lucille Acker Goerke, Victor & Carlota Garza, and her father-in-law, Frederick Spillmann.

She is survived by her loving husband, Landon Spillmann; her parents, Roger Garza and Janice Goerke Garza; Mother-in-law, Charlene Voigt Spillmann; sister, Roxanne Garza Richards, and Brother-in-law, Bret Richards; brother, Lyle Garza, and sister-in-law, Julia Riley Garza; niece, Kimberlyn Richards, and nephews, Kade Richards, Eli, Luke, and Arlo Garza; and her constant furry companions, Dino, Rubio, and Rosa; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She will be deeply missed by everyone and never, ever forgotten.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Harrell Funeral Home of Austin.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 606 S. Center St., Marion, Texas. Interment will follow at The Victor Garza Memorial Cemetery in Zuehl, Texas. A reception will be held following the service at the Bexar Social Hall.

The pallbearers will be her cousins, David Goerke, Shane Fritz, Aaron Fritz, Tray Garza, Petey Garza, and Joaquin Garza. Honorary pallbearer will be Chance Garza who is unable to attend due to Army obligations.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations be made to: South Austin Rotary, 2507 Braemer Cove, Austin, TX 78747 or Doodle Dandy Rescue @ Doodledandyrescue.org.