Helen Margaret Sitka Schoener, 93, passed away Thursday, July 15, 2021. She was born February 26, 1928, in Hallettsville to the late Joe F. and Emma Kocian Sitka. Helen was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
She was known by many as Helen, but to her adoring family as Mom and Grandma Schoener. She spent her life married to the love of her life, Reinhart for 72 years and raising a family of five children. We know that Daddy had the first waltz when he greeted her in Heaven.
She was a very soft-hearted woman, faithful Christian, amazing cook and baker known for her kolaches, klobasniky and poppy seed, cream cheese and cinnamon rolls. She had a green thumb when she gardened her vegetables and flowers. Mom’s hot sauce and pickles were a family favorite and thankfully passed along those recipes to her family. The love and pride of her family was never-ending.
Throughout her life, she was active with the DaCosta Volunteer Fire Dept. Auxiliary and DaCosta Sons of Hermann. She loved her church and for many years was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Altar Society where she was once named Mother of the Year.
Helen is survived by her children, Delores Stroud (Larry) of Victoria, Judith Hanzelka (companion, Charles Lassmann) of Victoria, Harvey Schoener (Karen) of Victoria, Darlene Lutz (Jeff) of Needville and Matthew Schoener (Christene) of El Campo; sister, Antonia Brooks of Hallettsville; grandchildren, Meredith Mulkey, Teri Ward, Karen Boyd, Kelly Benner, Carri Lee, Kyle Schoener, Cody Schoener, Austin Lutz, Travis Lutz, Cameron Lutz, Cullen Schoener, Tanner Schoener; great-grandchildren, James Ward, Caleb Ward, Chelsea Mulkey, Allison Mulkey, Jacob Mulkey, Keira Benner, Blake Benner, Joseph Lee, Jake Lee, Alex Schoener, Hudson Schoener, Annie Schoener, Gus Schoener, Noah Schoener, Felix Schoener, Gavin Schoener, Haddie Schoener, Jonah Schoener, Brinley Lutz and her two great-great grandchildren, Cas Ward and Amelia Mulkey.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Reinhart Adolf Schoener; sisters, Virginia Fellers, Dorothy Hocutt and brothers, William and Julius Sitka.
Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, July 23, 2021, from 12- 1:30 PM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with a rosary to be recited by a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Altar Society at 1:30 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 PM with Msgr. John Peters officiating, followed by entombment at Resurrection Mausoleum.
Pallbearers are Kyle Schoener, Cody Schoener, Austin Lutz, Travis Lutz, Cameron Lutz, Cullen Schoener and Tanner Schoener.
Honorary pallbearers are Meredith Mulkey, Teri Ward, Karen Boyd, Kelly Benner and Carri Lee.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Building Fund.
Her entire family wishes to thank her doctor, Dr. J. Armando Diaz; nurse, Marlena Salazar and staff with Harbor Hospice for providing amazing and loving care for Mom during her final journey. A special thanks to the management and staff at Vitality Court for their loving care as well and a special thank you to Msgr. John Peters for his prayers and support during this time.
Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
