Dorothy Marie Knippel Svrcek, 85, of Victoria, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by the love and care of her family on June 13, 2018. She was born July 13, 1932 in Fayetteville, Texas to the late Sam and Isabel (Zapalac) Knippel.
Dorothy attended St. John’s Catholic School in Fayetteville from 1938-1950. While in high school she was the organist for St. John’s Catholic Church and was involved with the 4H Club, raising cattle and competing in sewing contests. She was a feared pitcher in fast-pitch softball. She attended Providence Hospital School of Nursing from 1950-53 graduating as an R. N. Dorothy was employed by Victoria Citizens Memorial Hospital in the Obstetrics Department for 13 years and as a school nurse for VISD for 22 years. She was a charter member of Our Lady of Victory Cathedral parish since 1958; a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Court of St. Ann #369, serving as Grand Regent 1960-61; a 50 + year member of the KJZT; a member of the Texas Nurses Association; and a past member of the Victoria Czech Club.
Dorothy lived her life grounded in the Catholic faith and in her love for Jesus Christ. Dorothy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a kind friend to everyone she met. She was always ready for dancing to polkas and waltzes or a game of Royal Rummy with friends. She enjoyed playing dominoes with her family, especially Chicken Foot with her grandchildren, and maintained a nightly ritual of playing Straight with Leonard and her caretakers for many years. Dorothy definitely had a “green thumb” and loved vegetable and flower gardening. She preferred the outdoors in Victoria or Fayette County – hunting, fishing and sitting on the porch or camp house swing under the shady live oak trees. She was a great cook, specializing in fried chicken, chicken-fried steak, coconut cream pie, German chocolate cake and many varieties of Christmas candies.
Dorothy enjoyed good health until requiring surgery for a benign brain tumor in 1995. She endured the subsequent complications from seizures and strokes with grace and acceptance. Dorothy’s family wishes to express their gratitude to Harbor Hospice nurses, and physicians Dr. Richard Sawyers and Dr. James Grumann, home health providers Sherry Keese, Vicki Ramirez, Robert Meza, Racquel Ramirez, Mary Mesa, Analisa Sepulveda, Angelina Barrera and many others too numerous to mention for their love and care of Dorothy.
Dorothy is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Leonard Svrcek, Sr.; daughter Brenda (Glen) Hakemack; sons, Joseph (Kay) Svrcek and Mark (Trudy) Svrcek; daughter-in-law, Nora McCullough; nine grandchildren, Suzanne (Clint) Kocurek, Kristin (Tristan) Couey, Brittany (Chase) Gwinner, Leonard III “Trey” Svrcek, Madison (Matt) Rodon, Erin and Elissa Hakemack, Harrison and Georgia Svrcek; and five great-grandchildren, Emerson Kocurek, Cameron and Connor Couey, Allison and Avery Gwinner. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her son, Leonard Jr., infant son, Kenneth Jude, and brother, Kermit Sam Knippel.
Visitation will be Sunday, June 17, 2018 from 1:30-2:45 pm at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral in Victoria with a Rosary recited at 2:45 pm. Memorial Mass will follow at 3:00 pm. Funeral services will be on Monday, June 18, 2018 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 209 E. Bell St. in Fayetteville, Texas, starting with a Rosary at 9:30 am, followed by the funeral mass at 10 am. Burial will follow in St. John Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Victory Cathedral Capital Campaign Fund, Harbor Hospice of Victoria or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Share condolences at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
