In Memoriam

In Memory of Joseph Juran

Joseph (Joe) Frank Juran passed away on Sunday, June 27, 2021. Graveside service was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Oakwood Cemetery.

Joe was born on September 17, 1936, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Joe L. and Anna Juran. He attended Fort Worth Technical High School class of 1954. He worked at Convair Joe Juran (now Lockheed) while going to Arlington State (now University of Texas at Arlington) then to TCU. He sold insurance then worked in the restaurant supply industry.

Joe enjoyed country music and was an accomplished guitar player. He portrayed Glen Campbell in the Fort Worth Woman’s Club musical show. He was a member of Fort Worth Masonic Lodge, Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Parade Committee, Sports Car Club of America, and Fort Worth Wings Booster Club. He volunteered at Colonial Golf Tournament and officiated high school football games.

He was a longtime member of SPJST Lodge 92, Fort Worth. His family was among the founders of Lodge 92.

He was preceded in death by his wife Glenda Juran; and parents Joe L. and Anna Juran.

Joe is survived by his daughters Lisa Juran and Mary Kaye Juran; stepsons Stephen Bradley and Jeff Bradley; sister Mary Ann Gibson (Gordon); Sharon Judge; Glenn Gibson; granddaughters Krystal Bradley and Courtney Bradley; and great-grandson Bryson Wells.

In memory of Joe, memorials can be made to National Hall - SPJST Lodge 92 at 3316 Roberts Cut Off Rd in Fort Worth, Texas 76114; phone 817-6241361. —SPJST—

In Memory of Robert Kadlubar

Robert John Kadlubar was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend with a zest for life and laughter. Robert was born June 9, 1937, in Mount Calm, Texas, to parents Josef C. Kadlubar and Ana (Domesle) Kadlubar. Raised in West, he attended St. Robert Kadlubar Mary’s Catholic School and West High School. Robert left his hometown, joining the Texas Army National Guard and was stationed at Fort Hood, Fort Polk, and Fort Chaffee. He later earned his diploma from Southern College of Commerce in Fort Worth.

Once back home, Robert met his wife Mary (Mokry) Kadlubar, and they were married on November 4, 1961, in Waco, where they started their family.

Robert had a long career as an electrician after earning his journeyman electrician license, contributing many years to his profession. After working in Waco at General Tire and General Dynamics, he moved his family to Houston. There, he was proud to work for Southern Pacific Railroad and Brown & Root; and spent the last 10 years of his career at St. Luke’s Hospital in the Houston Medical Center. Robert was known and appreciated by his family for his ability to build, maintain, and repair endless home projects. In fact, he tirelessly oversaw the building of the Lake Conroe home he has lived in since retirement.

A lifelong member of SPJST Lodge 6, Cottonwood, Robert was proud of his Czech heritage, eventually realizing his dream of visiting the Czech Republic. He always looked forward to family gatherings for holidays, special occasions, and just to get together. He was a devout Catholic and a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where he was active in St. Mary’s Men’s Club.

Robert was well known for his sense of humor and always had a joke to share. He and Mary enjoyed socializing with friends and family wherever they were. They loved traveling together, and Robert especially loved exploring small towns, attending church bazaars and Czech fests around central Texas. Listening to polka bands was a highlight of these trips. Ruidoso, New Mexico, became a favorite destination where Robert and Mary spent many summer trips playing golf, exploring, and visiting friends.

In retirement, Robert became an avid golfer and pursued this passion for the rest of his life. He enjoyed playing at April Sound and other courses with his buddies and most recently, with Mary on Sunday afternoons. He was a member of the April Sound Men’s Club and loved being a part of the community.

Robert passed away peacefully at age 84 at his home in Montgomery on Friday, August 6, following a three-month illness. He was under the care of Devotion Hospice and wonderful caregivers with At Your Side Home Care. Robert was surrounded by his loving family, Father Ed Kucera, and his compassionate nurse Angie during his final days.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Kadlubar; children Deborah (Scott) Loeffler of Houston, Donna Carnahan (best friend Angelo Ferrari) of Houston, R. and John (Rhonda) Kadlubar, Jr. of Montgomery; grandchildren Rachel Carnahan, Josef Carnahan, and Ryan Kadlubar; brothers Joe (Leona) Kadlubar of Elm Mott and Jerry Kadlubar of West; sister-in-law Hattie Kadlubar of Lake Charles, Louisiana; brothers-in-law George Mokry and Alvis (Christine) Mokry; and many nephews and nieces.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Josef C. Kadlubar and Ana (Domesle) Kadlubar; brother Bernard Kadlubar; and sister-in-law Merline Kadlubar.

Donations may be made to St. Mary’s Men’s Club or St. Mary’s Altar Society in Plantersville, Texas.

Visitation was Tuesday, August 10 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Metcalf Funeral Directors in Conroe with the rosary at 6 p.m. A funeral mass was Wednesday, August 11 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Plantersville with interment immediately following at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. —SPJST—

Expression of Sympathy

We, the Resolution Committee of Lodge Hvezda Texasu, No. 47, Seaton, express our sincere sympathy to the family of our departed sister,

RUTH HELEN KOHUTEK.

Funeral service for Ruth Helen Kohutek, age 91, of the Oscar community, was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at Seaton Brethren Church with Pastor Denise Mikeska officiating. Burial will be held private at a later date in Seaton Cemetery. Visitation was 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10 at Seaton Brethren Church.

After an excruciating battle with vascular disease, she was called by her Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 5, 2021. Ruth overcame and/or endured many health issues. She always knew her time would come, and she wrote her own obituary a few years ago.

She was born on April 19, 1930, to Rudolph and Millie Lesikar in Oscar where she lived nearly all her life. She first got her schooling in a country school by the name of Little Elm in the Oscar community. After that, she attended Temple High School and graduated in 1947 and then attended Nixon-Clay Business College in Austin. She returned to Temple and was one of the first employees of First Federal Savings and Loan when it was first organized as a secretary to the vice president. At this time, she married her love, Louis Kohutek, on August 19, 1950. After 10 years, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom to raise their two daughters. She later began working at King’s Daughters Hospital and Clinic where she worked 27 years. During the previous years, she was a Girl Scout leader and was involved in cancer drives. She had been a member of Seaton Brethren Church since childhood. She served as a Christian Sister’s president for a number of years, was a member of the choir, and served in many other positions.

She was a member of SPJST Lodge 47, Seaton and served as ticket chair for many years and had served on the resolution committee.

Ruth Kohutek

She had been an auxiliary volunteer at King’s Daughters Hospital for many years. Ruth loved to dance which she and her husband did for many, many years. Playing dominoes was a big past time for her with friends and having snacks to eat. She loved to cook and bake, and as her grandson would say, “she was always in the kitchen fixing something.” Outdoors was a place she loved to be feeding birds, squirrels, and anything else that came around. She loved flowers and always had many on her patio. Often did she wonder what the world would be like if God had not given the birds to sing for us and flowers to give us their colors and smells. Her large collection of ceramic birds were in every room in her home. She also collected and had a large volume of vinyl records and CDs consisting of gospel, country western, and others. Reading was also something she truly enjoyed and, of course, Starbucks. She loved her dog Yuppie. Her favorite Bible verse was “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; sister Georgia Navratil; and husband Louis Kohutek, who passed away June 26, 2017.

Survivors are daughter Karen Beeler and husband Mike of Yukon, Oklahoma; daughter Donna McEntire and husband Larry of Oscar; and grandsons Ryan Guidry, Jared Guidry, and Travis Guidry, all of Oklahoma, and Russ Guidry and wife Korey; and greatgrandchildren Lainey, Stella, and Owen Guidry, all of Illinois.

Please make any memorial offering to Seaton Brethren Church, 12561 State Highway 53, Temple, Texas 76501; or to Bell County Animal Shelter, 2509 South Loop 121, Belton, Texas 76513.

May our departed sister rest in peace. Resolution Committee Ruth Hanusch Joyce Skrabanek —SPJST—

In Memory of Gertrude Krenek

Gertrude Ann Mokry Krenek (G Ann) passed from this earthly life on Thursday, May 13, 2021. She was a devout Catholic, loved by many and will be greatly missed.

She was born July 21, 1936, in Granger, Texas, to Frank Mokry and Annie Marek Mokry. Growing up on a Czech-speaking family farm with seven brothers, G Ann had to learn English quickly when she attended Sts. Cyril and Methodius parochial school in Granger. To further her education, she Gertrude Krenek moved to Taylor to attend St. Mary’s Catholic High School, living with various aunts and uncles while her brothers worked the farm with her parents. She was valedictorian of the Class of 1954 at St. Mary’s. While in school, she met the love of her life, Frank Charles Krenek, at a polka dance. They were married on October 9, 1954, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylor. They were proud of their Czech heritage and danced across Texas at many SPJST, Knights of Columbus, VFW, and American Legion halls. Her children have fond memories of sleeping on tables and chairs during the battle of the bands each Sunday at SPJST. Mother and Dad were the best dancers at any Czech wedding, and led many grand marches over the years.

Mother was known as the “Tupperware Lady” for more than 53 years, traveling all over Texas, holding parties at homes, beauty salons, home economics classes, and more. Tupperware was often a family affair as the children helped package and deliver the merchandise and often helped her “friend find” which was cold-calling door-todoor. Yearly conventions across the United States would provide some of the rare out-of-state family vacations. While still selling Tupperware in the 90s, G Ann joined her brothers at DPS, working in Austin until retiring for good.

G Ann was a lifelong member of KJZT and SPJST Lodge 29, Taylor, serving as an officer in these organizations over the years. G Ann and Frank traveled on their dream trip to the Czech Republic with her close cousin, Rose Mueller, and her husband and was proud to be able to communicate with the locals in their native tongue.

Mother loved meeting new people and was always interested in their personal history; where they were from, their heritage, and their family. Her memory was amazing, and we would always marvel at the details she remembered of everyone she met. She knew everyone’s birthdate and family tree and had nicknames for so many of her loved ones. One of her favorite things to do was have her family’s birthdays or anniversaries listed on the marquee at City National Bank as well as calling the local radio station KTAE/KXRT and playing a song in someone’s honor.

Above all, G Ann was proud of her family. She is survived by her children Paula Marak (Eugene), Greg Krenek, Frank Krenek II (Nancy), Kathie Pfluger (David), Kristie Johnston (Scott), and Robin Krenek; grandchildren Misty Marak, Kristopher Johnston (Helen), Frank Charles Krenek III (Shannon), Adam Pfluger (Christa), Jennifer Barrett (Ryan), Erika Greer (Ty), Whitney Krenek, Dillon Pfluger (Rhegan Stroup), Kelsey Krenek, Tony Johnston, Wylie Duxstad, Eden Krenek, and Max Krenek; great-grandchildren Zoe Horne, Kenna Greer, Scarlett Horne, Lennon Pfluger, Rowan Barrett, Petyon Greer, and Daphne Barrett; an extended family of grandchildren, Shannon Roberson (Lance), Kenneth O’Meara (Kelsey), Katelyn Scolaro (Mark), Ellen Ash (Johann), and Monica Axtell (Luke); step-great-grandchildren Ashlyn Axtell, Ryder Axtell, Lane O’Meara, John O’Meara, and Henrietta Ash; brothers Bernard (Shirley), Andrew, Raymond (Nancy), and Al Mokry (Barbara); sister-in-law Lucy Mokry; brother-in-law Virgil Klaus; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Annie Mokry; husband Frank Charles Krenek; brothers Frank, Gilbert, and Alfred Mokry; sisters-in-law Mary Ann Mokry and Norma Lee Klaus; daughter-in-law Lauren Krenek; and in-laws Paul and Hermina Krenek.

Visitation and rosary was from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 20 at The Gabriel’s Funeral Chapel and Crematory in Georgetown. Rosary was at 7 pm. Funeral mass was Friday, May 21 at 2:30 p.m. at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Granger with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Taylor. The family wishes donations to be given in her honor to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or St. Mary’s School funds in Taylor.

G Ann Krenek was a character, a strong-willed woman, devoted to Christ and always the last one to leave the party, wedding, or funeral. She led a life of connection with others. Her feistiness lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed and appreciated for the strength and strong love she exhibited in life.

—SPJST—

In Memory of Kenneth Vavra

Kenneth Louis Vavra, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Ennis, Texas, with his family by his side on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.

He was born on October 9, 1933, and was preceded in death by his parents Louis Joe Vavra and Willie Mae Vavra, of Ennis; and brother Benny Ray Vavra of Grand Prairie.

He is survived by his loving wife Theresa Marie Vavra, to whom he was married to for Kenneth Vavra 64 years; sons, daughters, and their spouses - Perry and Toya Vavra, Phillip Vavra, Laura Vavra, Paul Vavra, Pamela and Todd Oakley, and Petrina and Robert Glenn; grandchildren Catherine and Jason Hodgson, Matthew and Kristen Vavra, Jason and Hannah Vavra, Taylor and Marissa Vavra, Courtney and Josh Locke, Whitney and Josh Korensek, Lainey Vavra, Wesley Vavra, Shawna Oakley, Trevor Oakley, Autum Glenn, Maximus Glenn, and Samuel Glenn; 11 great-grandchildren; and brother David Vavra and family of Houston, Texas.

Kenneth was best known as KV. KV was a dedicated family man. He, along with Theresa, loved having their family over for Sunday dinners and watching sports, namely the Cowboys, as he was a sports fanatic. He enjoyed golfing with his buddies from work and deep-sea fishing with his sons and brother David. He loved polka music and was a won-