Dorothy Mae Kresta

Dorothy Mae (Schoener) Kresta (90) made her peaceful journey to Heaven on October 26, 2021. She was born on October 1, 1931, at her family’s farm in Schulenburg, Texas to Adolph and Rosina (Kloesel) Schoener. She was the youngest of 8 children. Dorothy attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Schulenburg, Texas until the 6th grade when her own mother became ill. Dorothy became caretaker for her mother until her mother’s death and her father sold the family farm. Dorothy was only 16 when she moved, by herself, to the big city of Houston, Texas. She worked as a nanny for the Allbritton family, of the [now] locally famous Allbritton Cafeteria. Mrs. Allbritton taught Dorothy to sew, and she also worked at the cafeteria. It was during these trying times that Dorothy met her very best lifelong friend, Helen. She loved Helen and Helen’s mother Mrs. Svoboda, who treated Dorothy as her own. It was through Helen, and her husband Leon, that Dorothy met her own future husband.

Dorothy married Peter J. Kresta on June 20, 1953. Dorothy was so concerned that her future mother-in-law wasn’t going to like her. However, Dorothy had nothing to be concerned about. She was very loved by the Kresta family from the get-go. Pete and Dorothy settled in northwest Houston and began their custom window covering business, Alshade Interiors, which was located in the heart of West University. They owned and operated that business until their retirement. They were charter members of St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Dorothy was a member of the Golden Youth Club and the Altar Society, cleaning the church and preparing meals for the church community which included her famous chicken salad sandwiches. Dorothy and Pete loved dancing to polkas and waltzes and passed the love of dancing on to their children. She and Pete also square danced for many years and made many lasting friendships through it.

When Dorothy wasn’t at “the shop”, she was busy at home with her children. She loved to bake and decorate birthday cakes for her entire family. She was an expert at packing the station wagon for vacation for a family of 6, including meals that we would eat at rest stops. Dorothy’s pride and joy was her family. She loved working in her yard and mowed it herself into her 80s. She loved watching Mollie B Polka Party and had a love affair with the Houston Astros. She loved being a grandma and great grandma with every fiber of her being. She loved going to sports activities and dance recitals any chance she could. She loved traveling to Louisiana with friends to play the slot machines and would leave with a sore arm.

Dorothy enjoyed the Texas Lotto. She didn’t play the Lotto anymore, but she still kept up with the numbers on her iPad. She was proud to keep track of everyone’s “numbers” (birthdates), including her nieces and nephews. Whenever anyone’s numbers would show up on Pick 3, Dorothy wrote their names down. She had a page for each day and would be so happy to share whose numbers came up that day. “Guess whose number came up today?!” It brought her much joy.

Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her in-laws J.R. and Emily Kresta, her siblings (Annie, Ed, Billie, Leo, Dodie, Adela, Gene), their spouses (Herbert, Martha Lee, Bill, Margie, Pete, Emil and Katherine), her in-laws (Archie, Emily and Dan).

She is survived by her children and their spouses Karen (Lynn), Brenda (Jack), Donna (Danny) and Pete (Tracy). She was blessed by her grandchildren David, Kristopher, Anthony, Zachary, Katie and Amanda. She was extra blessed by her great grandchildren Presley, Kinley, Harper, Kaden, and Piper. She is Aunt Dottie to many, many nieces and nephews. We would be remiss by not mentioning the last puppy she loved – her dear sweet, Milo. He kept her company for the last three years and was the last thing she thought she needed. However, Milo was her baby boy and was a blessing to her.

The family would like to thank Joe and Susan Salvaggio for being the most caring neighbors and friends to Dorothy. She loved you both so very much. We cannot begin to put a price on your relationship. Thank you for taking her to church, bringing her the bulletin, surprising her with sweet goodies, calling her daily about Mollie B and the Astros! We would also like to thank Sister Charline Schlebach for her friendship. She enjoyed your visits and appreciated you bringing communion to her.

Dorothy admired plants and flowers, but if you would prefer to make a donation, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.