Florian E. Hunger

On November 23rd @ 10:10 AM a hero died. Born into the Hunger/Rainosek family in the O’Quinn farming community and growing into young adulthood during the Great Depression, Dad worked on his Father’s farm through his early 20s. He always spoke fondly of the closeness among his extended family and the numerous gatherings, events, and celebrations that were a part of this time in his life. He loved farming and the land he grew up on.

He joined the US Army in May 1942. After training stateside as a Light Artillery Gun Crewman, he shipped to England and continued training in preparation for the invasion of the European Continent. During his deployment in England, he met his future bride Violet Irene Thomas. As a member of the 29th Infantry Division, he was part of the D-Day Normandy Invasion of June 6, 1944, landing during the first day of the assault. He served continuously during the European campaign until the end of the war in May 1945. It was during a leave granted Mar 24, 1945 that he returned to England, sought out Violet Irene Thomas, and asked her to marry him. They wed on March 29, 1945.

Upon his honorable discharge in September of 1945, he returned to Texas, awaiting the arrival of his war bride Violet. Upon her arrival, they rented a row crop farm located near Buckner’s Creek. After several years of farming, they acquired the means to purchase their own farm in the Swiss Alp area and soon began dairying. In the meantime, they began a family w/ the birth of John Edward Hunger in September 1947, followed by Robert Wayne Hunger in July 1949, Patricia Alyce Hunger in in October 1951, and Carolyn Marie Hunger in February 1958.

In 1968 he decided to leave the land and sold the family farm and moved to Austin, Texas. There he began a second career as a craftsman installing flooring and carpeting during the Austin building boom of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Afterwards, he enjoyed an extended retirement in Austin for the remainder of his life, fishing, prowling garage sales, and gardening.

Florian is preceded in death by his parents, Adolph Hunger and Julie Rainosek Hunger, his wife, Violet Irene Hunger, his son, Robert Wayne Hunger, and his brother, Adoph Hunger, Jr.

He is survived by his son, John Hunger, and his wife, Susan Baker; his daughters, Patricia Hill and her husband, Dennis, and Carolyn Kleiber and her husband, John; his sisters, Evelyn Bolfik and Lillian Arnold and their children; and his grandchildren, Jack and Jayne Kleiber.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening, on Wednesday, the 28th of November 2012, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. A Rosary will be recited at seven o’clock that evening.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 29th of November 2012, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas. A graveside service with US Army Honors will be held at half past one o’clock in the afternoon at the Queen of the Holy Rosary Church Cemetery, 639 FM 2436, Hostyn, Texas.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, the family suggests donations be made to St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas 78757 or the Queen of the Holy Rosary Church Cemetery, 639 FM 2436, LaGrange, Texas 78945 or your favorite catholic church charity.