Hazel Eva Hosek Waida passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 11, 2019, at the age of 92. Hazel was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, Nana, and Great Nana. She was born February 14, 1927, in Dacosta, Texas to Eva Neumann and Henry Anton Hosek, Sr. On February 22, 1945, she married her high school sweetheart, Lawrence “Buddy” Waida, Sr. and was a devoted wife for 71 years until his death in 2016.
She is survived by her children; Larry and Terry Waida, Greg and Christie Waida, Debbie Yandell, Karen and Jim Jones and Michelle and Phil Garoni. Her grandchildren; Wesley (Samantha) Waida, Bradley (Deana) Waida, Calvin (Tammy) Waida, Monica (Wayland) VanNest, Stuart (Mimi) Waida, Carissa (Michael Pratt) Waida, Megan (Ben Thomas) Waida, Nicole (Alden) Wilkins, Jason (Amanda) Yandell, Kyle (Katie) Garoni, Kelsey Garoni and Karina Garoni; 26 great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Hazel is survived by her brother Henry (Lil) Hosek Jr. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence “Buddy” Waida, Sr., parents, sister and brother-in-law JoAnn and Paul Hulin, son-in-law Billy F. Yandell, Jr., and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ernest and Lillie Mae Malkowsky.
Hazel graduated from Patti Welder High School in 1944. She was employed by Sears and Montgomery Ward Order Offices, and managed a local apartment complex.
As a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, she was active in Altar Society and was honored as Mother of the Year in 1977. She enjoyed dancing, traveling, and spending time with family at home and at the bay. Hazel was always ready for a game of cards or dominos with family or friends. In 2015, she and Buddy moved to Vitality Senior Living where she made new friends and rekindled old friendships.
Hazel participated in many volunteer activities through Vitality including volunteering weekly for The Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, Franklin Graham’s Operation Christmas Child/Shoe Box Ministry, and clipping thousands of coupons for the Get Military Coupon Program which were sent to service families in Wiesbaden, Germany. She often attended the Crossroads Country Opry, where she enjoyed hearing her nephew, Henry Hosek III, play his fiddle.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 15, 2019, at Rosewood Funeral Chapel. Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 105 N. William Street, Victoria Texas 77901, with Rev. Albert Yankey officiating. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Kyle Garoni, Bradley Waida, Calvin Waida, Stuart Waida, Wesley Waida, Jason Yandell and Alden Wilkins. Honorary Pallbearers are her granddaughters.
The family is grateful for the care received from the staff at Vitality Senior Living, Hospice of South Texas and Nancy Rosas and staff of Independent Caregivers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mid-Coast Family Services, Hospice of South Texas, Food Bank of the Golden Crescent or a charity of donor’s choice.
Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Rosewood Funeral Chapel. Condolences and memories can be shared online at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.