Lydia Edith Fojtik Luza beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and grandmother passed away peacefully on January 8, 2021 at the age of 94. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 from 5 – 7 pm with the rosary being said at 7:00 pm at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. A Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 will be begin at 10:00 am. You may livestream the service at facebook.com/memorialbryan Msgr. John McCaffrey will officiate and entombment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.
Lit was born on March 9, 1926 at home in West, McLennan Co., Texas. Her parents were Emil and Edith Brinkmann Fojtik and she was the sixth of nine children. They were a farming family, descended from Czech and German immigrants. For the Fojtiks, family and friends were always a priority. Emil Fojtik and his brother-in-law, Gus Brinkmann, opened a gas station and auto garage in West. During the Great Depression, they extended credit to friends and neighbors who needed their vehicles to eke out a living. That practice led to bankruptcy, shuttering the business for good. Emil Fojtik knew the business would fail because of the credit but they were trying to help others as everyone was in the same situation. Lydia was always ready to help others - that’s how she was raised and that is how she lived her life.
Lydia loved school and rarely missed a day. She was an avid reader. She attended high school in Franklin, Texas where one of her sons’ years later would serve as principal at the school.
Lydia met her future husband, Charles Luza, March 26, 1940 at her sister’s wedding and they were married on January 8, 1946 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. On the night before their wedding, an excited Lit accidentally burned a hole in her dress while ironing it. Her sister-in-law had some parachute silk which matched the dress so Lit stayed up most of the night repairing the dress. The stress and fatigue caught up with her the next day; she fainted at the altar. Their wedding reception was held at Shiloh Hall in College Station. It rained all day long and everything was muddy. Charlie and his groomsmen helped pull cars from the mud so everyone could get inside for the meal and dance.
In 1950, they bought a farm in Dime Box, Texas and moved the family there. Lydia and Charlie farmed the land and in 1954, returned to Bryan where they remained. Charlie worked at Bryan Air Base until it closed and then was employed at Texas A&M in the Facilities Department. Lydia worked at Parker-Astin, Inc. for many years and in 1972 began her career as a Technician in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University. As her children grew, moved out and married, their house on North Ave. in Bryan became a hub for the extended family. The whole family would gather there every weekend and especially on holidays, where the growing Luza clan had to exchange Christmas presents in shifts because of cramped conditions. One year her son, Charles, suggested the family get together at Easter to celebrate. That tradition has continued to this day.
Lydia was an avid believer in daily exercise and led an exercise group for many years. She enjoyed line-dancing and incorporated that into her exercise routines. Lydia was a life-long member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where she participated as a Eucharist Minister and led the Rosary before Mass. She often attended daily Mass. She was a member of the Mt. Carmel Rosary Guild, Age Managers, Gold Medallion Club, and St. Joseph’s Women’s Guild. Traveling was a passion and she enjoyed many trips throughout the US. She was a volunteer in the parish gift shop for many years. She was a member of St. Joseph School Mother’s Club during the years her seven children attended school there. She enjoyed monthly luncheons with a group of close friends. She liked genealogy and visited many cemeteries to get answers before the internet was available. Lydia and Charlie enjoyed their Czech heritage and loved dancing and other traditions.
After her retirement in August 1985, she was very involved in her grandchildren’s lives and they adored her. Lydia enjoyed spending time with her children, and grandchildren (great), and was proud of them all. We never heard our mother speak of any regrets over her lifetime. She seemed to face each day as if it were her best. In October, Charlie suffered a stroke and Lit became his caregiver. They celebrated 45 years of marriage before his death on September 1, 1991.
Still her resilient nature wouldn’t allow her to become bitter or afraid as age brought more physical discomfort. Her strong faith in God and genuine concern for others kept her focus on enjoying life. Even as dementia caused great frustration for her at times, she remained sweet natured and joked with caregivers. One of her favorite sayings when she was telling someone goodbye was, “Be good to yourself!”
Lydia is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Charlie, brothers: Emil Fojtik (Yvonne), Jimmy Fojtik, and J.D. Fojtik; sisters: Angie Morriss (Calvin), Rosalie Weatherford (Doc), and Hattie Poehl (Lee); brothers-in-law: Charlie Barak, Jimmie Rosenkranz, Vince Luza, and Jerome Luza; sisters-in-law, Mary Zemanek (Louis), Cecilia Luza (Willie), and Helen Milberger (James), sons-in-law Charles Hebron, Bob Mousner and Patrick McConal.
Lydia is survived by her children: Lydia Mousner and children: Chad McCartney (Crystal), Brandon McCartney (Amanda) and Dusty McCartney (Amanda); Charles Luza, Jr. (Elain) and children: Diane Wiener (Jon), Donna Colley (Matt) and Erin Luza (Ricky Moore); Robert Luza (Patty) and children: Charles Luza (Dawn), Nathan Luza (Kelly), and Ben Luza (Jenn); Tim Luza (Becky) and children: Alison Callaway (Andrew), Melissa Howell (Forrest), Tim Luza, Jr. (Chrissie), J.D. Luza (Julia), and Emily Kubacak (Matt); Sandra Bragg (Roy) and children: Sean Bragg (Audrey), Andy Jo Bragg, Hannah Bragg (Kenneth Tidgwell), Molly Hoke (Michael), Monica Bragg (Kewaun Brewer), and Kelly Bragg; Pam Edwards (Ron) and children: Maegan Sowder (Larame), Morgan McConal, Brady McConal, and Traci Edwards; and Emil Luza (L’nae), sisters: Mary Ann Barak and Grace Rosenkranz, sisters-in-law: Gladys Fojtik, Rosette Fojtik, Tracy Horn (who was a dear friend) and brother-in-law, Anton (Willie Ann) Luza.
She is survived by great-grandchildren: Andrew, Ashlyn, Luke, Tyler, Tanner, Katie, Easton and Hunter McCartney; Alexa Doyle; Peyton and Madeline Colley, Lauren and Charlotte Wiener; Scott, Jennifer, Kylie and Dean Luza; Samantha and Ravin Wilson; Clayton, Corbin and Tyler Callaway; Meredith, Madeline, Christian and Natalie Howell; Matthew, Abigail and Ellie Kubacak; Alexander and Caroline Bragg; Slate Hoke; Aubri Brewer; and Sarah Sowder, numerous loving nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Pallbearers will be grandchildren Brandon McCartney, Donna Colley, Nathan Luza, Tim Luza, Jr., Sean Bragg, and Morgan McConal and Honorary Pallbearers will be the other grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the kind nurses and staff at Crestview for the great care they have given our mother since 2014. Mother often commented on how well she was treated there.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Joseph School, Brazos Valley Hospice or a charity of your choice.
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