Katherine Janak Kahanek August 07, 1937 – December 19, 2018 Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Katherine Janak Kahanek, 81, of Hallettsville, passed away on December 19, 2018. She was born on August 7, 1937, the sixth of ten children, to Guntram J. & Annie Pesek Janak at St. Mary’s, Lavaca County, Texas. She went to Brown School, graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1955 and Renger Hospital School of Nursing in 1956.
She became a L.V.N. working at Renger Hospital from 1956 to 1958. Katherine married Victor B. Kahanek on October 16, 1960 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hallettsville. She worked at Montrose Children’s Clinic (Houston) from 1959 to 1992.
She moved back to Hallettsville in 1993 and worked at Stevens Nursing and Rehab for 10 years until retirement. Katherine was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Altar Society, St. Mary’s Czech Choir, Lavaca County Czech Heritage Society, KJZT #53 Wied, Catholic Daughters of The Americas #797, and St. Padre Pio Vocation Club. She was head of St. Mary’s Altar Society for 25 years and Chairman of Catholic Daughters Rosary Making Committee for 20 years; a program which was started at St. Mary’s.
Katherine knew her Father in Heaven. Katherine loved and was loved. She loved and lived life to the fullest and loved serving the needs of St. Mary’s Catholic Church putting in countless hours of selfless service.
She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a special gift for loving and caring for young children which was carried out in her long-time profession as a pediatric nurse. She also enjoyed traveling with Vic and special friends made while traveling.
Her baking and cooking skills were second to none and truly enjoyed by her family and friends. She lovingly took on the role of “mayor” of St. Mary’s from her brother, Ben. Katherine is survived by: her husband Victor Kahanek; son Kyle Kahanek & wife Debbie of Humble, TX; 2 daughters, Anne Hanson & husband Mark of Griffin, Georgia, Kim Ritchie & husband Dwayne of Anderson, TX; grandchildren, Kendra Martin (Michael) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Kayla Blanchard (Sarah) of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Mark Hanson, Jr. (Leah) of Griffin, Georgia.
Zachary and Jonathan Ritchie of Anderson, TX; granddaughter-in-law Donya Hanson, of Fayetteville, Georgia; great-grandchildren Cornelius and Abigail Martin and Hadlee, Ryder, and Carter Hanson; sisters Johanna Dornak of San Antonio, TX, Bea Butschek of Hallettsville, TX; sister-in-law Sharon Janak of Hallettsville, TX; brothers Alois Janak (Rose) of Victoria, TX, Raymond Janak (Helen) and Guntram Janak (Elaine) of Hallettsville, TX; brother-in-law Valentine Kahanek of Houston; and numerous cousins, nieces & nephews Katherine was preceded in death: by her parents Annie and Guntram Janak; grandson Luke Hanson; brothers, Benedict Janak, Thomas Janak, and Gilbert Janak; sisters-in-law, Betty Kahanek and Helen Cinadr Janak; sister Margaret Bludau; and brothers-in-law, Leroy Bludau and Joe Max Dornak. Memorial Funeral Mass: 3 pm, Friday, December 28, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a meal following. Visitation: 1 pm, Friday with the Rosary starting at 2:45 pm.
Officiants: Rev. Anthony Pesek and Msgr. John Peters.
Memorials: Catholic Daughters of Americas #797, Saint Padre Pio Vocation Club of Hallettsville or donor’s choice. The family will conduct a private burial.
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