Vlasta Alice (Pivonka) Pesek
Vlasta Alice (Pivonka) Pesek, 93, of La Marque, TX, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 20, 2016. Vlasta was born on May 26, 1922, in Caldwell, TX, and graduated from Jourdanton High School before attending the University of Texas and earning her teaching certification. She taught and served as a war-time principal in Hill, TX, during WWII, and then taught in New Brenham and at the Naval Base in Corpus Christi.
On January 8, 1946, Vlasta married Ernest, and later they moved from Kentucky to Texas City and then to La Marque, where they raised eight children. Always interested in education, she taught elementary school at Our Lady of Lourdes in Hitchcock, earned a degree in Special Education from the University of Houston, and then taught in La Marque ISD until her retirement. She closed out her career by serving as acting principal at Queen of Peace Catholic School in La Marque.
Vlasta was an active and long-time member of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church and Ladies Guild, KJZT Society, SPJST, Elks Lodge, Texas Retired Teachers Association, and Czech Heritage Singers Club. Excelling in sports, she played volleyball and softball in high school, followed her own children’s sports careers, bowled in an adult women’s league, and even won a district horseshoe pitching contest at age 82.
Vlasta will be remembered as a smart, stylish, generous, and deeply religious woman who cared about her family, church and friends, who loved to cook, travel and socialize, and who could give advice on anything from parenting to politics. Fluent and funny in both Czech and English, she will be truly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Vlasta was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; her eldest and youngest sons: Richard and Martin Pesek; five brothers: Vince, Walter, Victor, Raymond, and Joe Pivonka; and three sisters: Wilma Pivonka, Mary Kahanak, and Mildred Bridges.
She is survived by four sons, two daughters, a daughter-in-law, and their spouses: Dennis and Lee Ann Pesek of Houston; Jim and Darla Pesek of Poteet; Pat Pesek of Austin; Marilyn and Bruce McFarland of Missouri City; Glenn and JoAnna Pesek of Friendswood; Laurie and Garry Green of Santa Fe; and Grace and Roger Truitt of Friendswood; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, in-laws, and nieces and nephews.
The family extends special thanks and appreciation to long-time friends, Rosalie and W. K. Leonard, and to the caregivers who gave their support and love to Vlasta over the past several years: Rose Lollar, Rita Guillory, Mike Harrison, Glenda Romano, and more recently, the staff at Kozy Korner in Alvin.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., followed by a vigil and rosary at 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, February 24, at the Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque, TX. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 25, at the Queen of Peace Church in La Marque, TX, followed by burial at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Dickinson, TX.
Always enjoyed being around the Pesek family back in the day. May God grant the family grace, mercy and peace during this time. Hang on to those very precious memories.
Our sincerest condolences –
The Jurca Family
So sorry for your loss. Your mother was a kind, loving friend to my mother, Justine Janak. My mother always spoke highly of her and her husband and she considered them her best friends. I have a wonderful photo of our mothers together and would love to send it to the family if I could get an address. God Bless.
Condolences from the Flake Family
I join my sister, Judy Janak, in extending heartfelt sympathy to your entire family on the loss of your mother. She and your dad were, indeed, considered as their best friends, dating back to Kentucky where they first met. I remember them both well, as I am the oldest of Jerome and Justine Janak’s six children. We attended many, many celebrations together. I also remember enjoying their Czech dance performances over the years; they were a wonderful couple and I know you will miss them deeply as we do our parents. Cherish each and every memory! Now they are together again!
Paulette & I will keep you and your family in our prayers during this time of grieving. We enjoyed visiting with your Mom & Dad on those special occasions. You were blessed to be able to share their lives for so many years.
I just learned of your mom’s passing from my mom, Harriet Heckendorn. Lots of memories of us 5 Crider kids and you Pesek kids growing up in LaMarque! Mother was very fond of your mother, too. May she rest in peace.