Palmae Cecilia Romair Hanslik

During Palmae’s early childhood and teen years she lived in Texas City, Tomball, and Houston. She knew the strength and love of extended family as she and her younger sister, Rita, were raised by their maternal grandparents, Helen and Clement Champagne, and their sister, Mildred Romair Rudel and her husband, Alex Rudel, after their mother’s untimely death when Palmae was 12 years old.

Upon graduating from Sam Houston High School in Houston, Texas, Palmae worked at FedMart Grocery Store where she met David Skrehot, Sr. In 1943 she and David married, and together had three children - Suzanne, David, and Alan. Palmae had another son, Timothy Nelms, from a subsequent marriage.

Palmae pursued studies to become a nurse, a profession which she loved. Working alongside private practice physicians, and at the Durham Clinic, she served as a nurse for more than 35 years before retiring. Palmae’s love of people, and her compassionate caring heart, showed in all she did helping others in both her clinical work and her personal relationships.

Palmae’s love of God, church, family, and friends was evident. Loyal and dependable, Palmae always remained faithful to her commitments to family and friends, and she always enjoyed time together with her children and families, and her sister, Rita and friends. She loved participating in Mass and singing in the church choir. Palmae did not hide her feisty, strong-willed spirit, and drew people in with her joy!

Palmae loved dancing, and it was at a polka dance in 1994 she met Herman Hanslik. They began to attend many dances together, and in their youthful 70s, were married on April 26, 1997 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hallettsville, Texas.

They resided in Hallettsville, Texas, where Herman had lived for several decades. Palmae and Herman stayed quite busy managing his business, caring for Herman’s sister, Adela, participating in activities and attending Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They also found time to travel a bit, and of course, continued to dance!

Palmae joined Herman in his love of everything Czech, including Czech music, and she even attempted to learn a little of the Czech language. Together they would go to nursing homes to bring joy to the residents by singing Czech songs, with Herman also playing the harmonica, “button” accordion and drums at the same time as a one-man band.

Palmae and Herman moved to a retirement community in Tomball, Texas in 2009 where they enjoyed several years there together before Herman died in 2012. Palmae was a devoted wife to Herman for 15 years, and she loved being a part of his extended family and attending gatherings and annual reunions.

After Herman’s death, in addition to the continued support of both her family and Herman’s family, Palmae’s friends at the Heritage Community and the St. Anne’s Catholic Daughters gave her strength to move on and continue to enjoy life. She cherished being a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters, appreciating always Fr. Tommy’s concern for his parishioners at the Heritage.

In the last week of Palmae’s life she was blessed with extraordinary care and compassion from Methodist Hospital-Willowbrook and Rose of Texas Hospice.

Palmae is survived by her daughter Suzanne (Skrehot) Whorton, and sons David and Alan Skrehot and their respective wives Jan and Elda; grandchildren Glenn Whorton and Brian Whorton; Shaun Skrehot and wife Natalie, Stefanie (Skrehot) Berger and husband Dwayne, and Sara (Skrehot) Devine; Shely (Skrehot) Briones and husband Gino, Lynette (Skrehot) Thompson and husband Eric, and Ashley Skrehot and companion, Cynthia Tovar. There are nineteen surviving great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Palmae is also survived by her sister, Rita (Romair) Buescher and her sons, Dr. Ronald Buescher, and Mark Buescher and wife Diane and family. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Additionally, Palmae is survived by Herman’s sons Edward and Dr. Paul Hanslik and their respective wives, Shirley and Marilyn; daughter Katherine (Hanslik) Svatek; grandchildren Dana (Hanslik) Morris, Todd Hanslik and wife Allison, Tracey (Hanslik) Dampf and husband Eric; Michelle (Hanslik) Goins and husband Mike, and Natalie (Tammy) Hanslik; Kim Svatek and Commander Mike Svatek (U.S. Navy) and wife Rachel; there are fifteen surviving great-grandchildren and one more arriving soon!

Pallbearers are David Skrehot, Alan Skrehot, Shaun Skrehot, Dwayne Berger, Gino Briones, Eric Thompson, Brian Whorton, Edward Hanslik, and Dr. Paul Hanslik. Honorary Pallbearers are all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Palmae and Herman.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Anne’s-Tomball Catholic Daughters, St. Anne’s Catholic Church-Tomball, Rose of Texas Hospice, or a charity of your choice.