About Little Stars of Texas Foundation
Rooted in craftsmanship, family, and a calling to serve
ORIGIN & LEGACY
This mission began with a simple but meaningful request. “Son, I want you to make my casket.”
For Stephen Wusterhausen, a lifelong sawyer and craftsman, fulfilling that request became an act of honor. What started as a personal build for his father grew into a deeper purpose, using his skills to serve families with care and dignity.
Stephen comes from a hardworking Texas family rooted in faith, skill, and self-reliance. With a full-scale sawmill and a background in carpentry, he went on to start Star of Texas Casket Company, creating handcrafted caskets for families seeking something made with intention.
His father, Oscar, lived to see that vision come to life before passing in 2015...leaving behind a legacy that continues to guide this work today.
ROOTS & FOUNDATION
After time serving grieving families, a deeper need became clear. In the face of loss, families are often met with unexpected decisions and financial strain. Our goal is simple: remove one burden. By providing these caskets freely, we allow families to focus on what matters most—honoring their child and grieving without added pressure.
Little Stars of Texas Foundation was created to help meet that need. This work is rooted in compassion, craftsmanship, and service. Every piece we create carries that foundation forward.
We provide handcrafted caskets for premature babies and infants, generally up to 24 inches in length—offered at no cost to families facing the loss of a child.
Each piece is carefully built by hand, with attention to detail, proportion, and quiet beauty. We approach this work with a deep respect for the life it represents and the family it serves. These are not mass-produced items—they are thoughtfully made vessels intended to bring a measure of peace, dignity, and gentleness to an otherwise overwhelming moment.
WHAT WE DO
Little Stars Gown Project
Through the Little Stars Gown Project, donated wedding dresses are carefully transformed into soft interior linings for infant caskets—adding an additional layer of meaning and comfort.
OUR MISSION & PURPOSE
When a new child is lost, the weight placed on a family is immeasurable. In the midst of grief, practical needs still arise, often without warning or preparation.
Little Stars of Texas Foundation exists to meet one of those needs with care and dignity.
Providing baby caskets at no cost, supporting families through unimaginable loss, our mission is to ease a small part of the burden during one of life’s most difficult moments.
Through the support of our community, each handcrafted casket is given freely...offering families a place of rest for their little one, and one less thing to carry during a time of sorrow.
A Foundation of Compassion in Texas
Little Stars of Texas Foundation is supported by a dedicated Board of Directors and is currently in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. We are committed to building a strong, transparent foundation rooted in service.
This mission is simple at its core: To ease a small part of the burden during an unimaginable time, and to ensure every child is given a place of rest with dignity and care.
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stephen & Amy Wusterhausen
President & Treasurer
Stephen and Amy Wusterhausen are the founders of Little Stars of Texas Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing infant caskets at no cost to families experiencing loss.
Stephen serves as President and leads the foundation's vision, operations, and overall direction. Through his work with Star of Texas Caskets, he has spent years building handcrafted caskets and has long felt called to use that work to help families during some of the most difficult moments in their lives.
Amy serves as Treasurer and plays a key role in the financial oversight and organization of the foundation. In addition, she leads the Little Stars Gown Project, an initiative that transforms donated wedding dresses into beautiful, handcrafted interiors for infant caskets. This project allows something once worn during a moment of joy to be repurposed into a meaningful gift of comfort and dignity for families experiencing loss.
Together, Stephen and Amy are committed to building something meaningful that reflects compassion, dignity, and service to others.
Outside of the foundation, they enjoy scuba diving, traveling, and spending time with their family and grandkids. Those moments together are what continue to shape their perspective and strengthen their commitment to helping others.
Debra "Dee" Trevino
Secretary
Debra "Dee" Trevino serves as Secretary for Little Stars of Texas Foundation, where she plays an important role in maintaining organization, records, and communication for the board. Her attention to detail and willingness to step in wherever needed help keep the foundation running smoothly.
Dee previously worked with Star of Texas Caskets, where she was involved in building caskets and also served as a driver, delivering them to families and funeral homes across the country. Through that experience, she gained a deep understanding of the care and compassion required when serving families during difficult times.
She has a heart for helping others and is passionate about being part of a mission that brings comfort and support to families experiencing loss. Dee values the opportunity to contribute to something meaningful that serves the community.
Outside of the foundation, Dee enjoys spending time fishing whenever she gets the chance and loves singing karaoke. Her outgoing personality and caring nature make her a valued part of the foundation's team.
Curtis Craig
Director, Family Bereavement Advocate
Curtis Craig serves as Director - Family Bereavement Advocate for Little Stars of Texas Foundation, offering a unique and deeply personal perspective to the organization. Curtis and his wife experienced the loss of their child, and during that time, Star of Texas Caskets provided a donated casket for their baby. That experience has given him a deep understanding of both the emotional and practical needs families face during loss.
In his role, Curtis helps serve as a voice for families, sharing his and his wife's experience to help others understand how the foundation can support them during one of the most difficult times in their lives. His insight plays an important part in shaping how the foundation communicates, serves, and walks alongside families with compassion and care.
Curtis is passionate about helping families know they are not alone and that support is available. His willingness to share his story and offer encouragement brings comfort and hope to those navigating loss.
Josh Hausladen
Director, Funeral Care Director
Josh Hausladen serves as Director - Funeral Care Director for Little Stars of Texas Foundation, bringing valuable experience and insight from years in the funeral service industry. His background provides an important perspective in helping ensure the foundation's programs align with real-world funeral care practices while maintaining a high standard of professionalism and compassion.
In his role, Josh offers guidance on funeral industry practices and helps provide independent oversight related to care standards and fair pricing. His experience allows the foundation to operate with transparency and integrity while supporting families in a meaningful way.
Josh and his wife, Jamie, recently retired from their funeral home and are now enjoying life on their farm together. In his free time, Josh has also restored a couple of classic Ford F-100 trucks over the years, reflecting his appreciation for craftsmanship and hands-on work.
Carlton Moore & Cherie' Wilkinson-Moore
Directors, Ministry of Hope & Compassion
Carlton Moore serves as Director of the Ministry of Hope & Compassion for Little Stars of Texas Foundation, providing spiritual encouragement and compassionate outreach to families experiencing loss.
Carlton and Stephen met through church and developed a close friendship while serving together on a mission trip to Mexico, where they helped build a church. Through that experience and beyond, Carlton has been a trusted mentor and a steady source of encouragement.
In his role, Carlton offers faith-based support, often connecting directly with families to provide prayer, guidance, and comfort during difficult times. His ability to listen, encourage, and uplift others plays an important part in helping families feel supported and not alone.
Carlton and his wife, Cherie’ Wilkinson Moore, share a deep love for the Lord and a heart for serving others. Together, they are committed to living out their faith through compassion, encouragement, and support for those in need.