Emilie Marie Matcek Kocurek

Emilie Marie Matcek Kocurek entered peacefully into eternal life August 18, 2004, at the age of 94. Millie, as she was known to countless devoted friends and family, died at home, surrounded by her family. Born May 27, 1910, to John F. Matcek and Marie Garbs Matcek of Somerville, TX, Millie was the widow of Louis J. Kocurek, originally of Dime Box, TX. He preceded her in death in 1982. One son, David Carl, and a daughter-in law, Patricia Terrazas Kocurek, both of San Antonio, also preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Louis J. Kocurek, Jr. and wife Barbara, Boerne, TX, her daughter-in-law Sharon Martin Kocurek, daughter Mary Ann Rodgers Kocurek, son Thomas Kocurek, all of San Antonio, and son Richard Kocurek of Austin.

She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren are Louis J. Kocurek III, & wife Leslie, Medina, TX, Dr. Alberto Terrazas ³Terry² Kocurek, Galveston, TX, Kristopher M. Kocurek, San Marcos, TX, Dr. Kathryn Kocurek & husband Dr. Matthew Orr, Bend, OR, Dr. Eve Marie Kocurek & husband Dr. Paul Benzenberg, Golden, CO, Emily A. Kocurek, Santa Monica, CA, Laura Kocurek Kane & husband John, Austin, TX, Richard J. Kocurek, Jr., Crested Butte, CO, Jeannie Kocurek Hilsabeck & husband Guy, Kerrville, TX, Scott L. Kocurek & wife Michelle, Plano, TX, Karen Kocurek Lindner & husband Ed, Hutto, TX, Joseph A. Rodgers, Dallas, TX, and Patricia A. Kocurek, David Carl Kocurek, Jr., & wife Angie, John R. Kocurek & wife Michelle, Christiana Rodgers, Laurie Kocurek Dahl & husband Jeffrey, Dr. Kristie Kocurek, Katie E. Youngblood, Thomas Kocurek Jr., and Patrick E. Kocurek, all of San Antonio. Millie¹s sisters-in-law, Irene Bucek Kocurek, Mico, TX, Josephine Kocurek Krenek, Austin, TX, Bettye Kocurek Siptak, Caldwell, TX and brother-in-law Joseph Jody Kocurek of Austin, TX also survive her. Millie was especially proud of her large family and they and her many friends were very dear to her.

Millie graduated from Somerville High School and worked for the local utility company before marrying Louis at St. Mary¹s Catholic Church, Frenstat, TX, on November 19, 1932. They spent 2 years in Brenham before settling in San Antonio in 1934, where Louis opened the first branch office of Rauscher Pierce Investments and was General Manager for the Dallas firm.

After her husband¹s death, she continued to enrich the community with her kindness and generosity through numerous civic, cultural, religious, and educational activities. She was a devoted member of St. Peter Prince of

Apostles Catholic Church, St. Monica¹s Guild, St. Peter and St. Joseph¹s Children¹s Home, Santa Rosa Children¹s Hospital, and The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the oldest and highest orders of Knighthood in

the Catholic Church worldwide.

Her ardent interest in Catholic academic and spiritual education was reflected in her loyal support of the University of the Incarnate Word, the Oblate School of Theology, the Harry Jersig Speech and Hearing Center, and Our Lady of the Lake University. At OLLU she was awarded Steward of Higher

Education Award for her sustained interest and support of the University and the cause of higher education. She also supported the mission of the Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health and the Cancer Therapy and Research Center.

Social organizations of which she was a long time member were the San

Antonio Country Club, the Argyle Club, the Battle of Flowers Association, and the Charity Ball Association, the latter of which she was a founding member. She loved music and the arts and was a loyal supporter of Grand Opera and the San Antonio Symphony since its founding under Max Reiter. For

many years she was a member of the Symphony Women¹s League and the

Chairman¹s Coucil of the San Antonio Symphony. Over the years she supported other musical interests through the Chaminade Choir, the Tuesday Musical Club, and the Lyric Opera of San Antonio. Millie was also a member of the national music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota.

She was a founding member of the San Antonio Museum Association and a supporter of the McNay Museum, the San Antonio Art Institute, and the Coppini Academy of Fine Arts. Gardening and flower arranging were life-long joys and she was a member of the Live Oak Garden Club. Travel was always a

great adventure for her and she collected many memories from around the globe.

Millie was proud of her Czech heritage. Her pioneer ancestors came to east Texas in the mid-19th century. For many years, she and her husband spoke Czech, the language of her childhood. She kept alive many of the Czech

culinary traditions which she learned from her mother, and shared the bounty with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed for her gracious hospitality and generosity to one and all.

The family gives special thanks to Millie¹s devoted friend and housekeeper of many years, Maria Lopez. They also wish to express their gratitude and appreciation to Beth Fidellow, MD, Alicia Brooks, RN, and Judy Minnick, RN

of Vista Care Hospice. Thanks go also to Millie's caregivers: Guadalupe Gallegos, Charlene Wynn, Maria Romo, Hipolita Freeman, Leticia Gamboa, Norma Fraga, Lorena Gutierrez, Annette Duran and Mireya Martinez of Med Team, Inc.

Pallbearers are Louis J. Kocurek, III, Dr. Alberto Terrazas Kocurek, John R. Kocurek, David Carl Kocurek, Jr., Joseph A. Rodgers, and Scott L. Kocurek. Honorary Pallbearers are Thomas Kocurek, Jr., Patrick Kocurek, Richard

Kocurek, Jr., John Burge, George Matcek, Byron L. LeFlore, Tim Matcek and William G. Priest, Jr.