Yvonne Marie Piwonka

Yvonne Marie Piwonka (née Charanza), 77, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2026, in her hometown of Bryan, Texas. Born on Valentine’s Day in 1949 in Bryan, Yvonne spent her early years in the Frenstat and Caldwell communities before returning to Bryan in the second grade. A 1967 graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School, she went on to earn her degree in Elementary Education from Texas A&M University in 1971 as one of the earlier female graduates.

In 1972, Yvonne married the love of her life, Don Piwonka, sharing 54 wonderful years of marriage together. They settled in San Angelo, Texas, in 1981, where they raised their family and built a life full of deep friendships and rich community over more than four decades in West Texas.

Teaching was Yvonne’s true calling. She began her career in Texarkana, spent time teaching in Seabrook, and spent the heart of her career teaching kindergarten and second grade at Bowie Elementary in San Angelo until her retirement in 2004. As a lifelong educator, Yvonne blessed countless young lives with her warmth, guidance, and endless encouragement.

Yvonne’s world revolved around her family. While her sons were growing up in San Angelo, she spent countless weekends cheering them on at soccer tournaments and band events. A dedicated Aggie, she also loved co-hosting and running Texas A&M football tailgates, bringing family and friends together for game days. Above all roles, she cherished being a wife, mother, and "Nana." Genuine, loving, and deeply empathetic, Yvonne possessed a gentle heart, always placing the needs and happiness of others before her own.

Her passions brought joy to those around her. She was a wonderful cook and baker, an avid gardener, and treasured her yearly coastal trips to Rockport, Texas, where she spent hours walking the beach and hunting for seashells. In retirement, she loved playing Bunco with her San Angelo girls and reconnecting with extended family at reunions. A devout, lifelong Catholic, Yvonne was an active member of Holy Angels Catholic Church in San Angelo as well as St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan. She was involved in numerous church and community groups, including the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, as well as various professional educational and charitable organizations.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, Ludwig and Rosalie Charanza.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Don Piwonka of Bryan; her sons, Nathan Piwonka and his wife, Bethy, of Dallas, and Kyle Piwonka of Durango, Colorado; and her cherished grandchildren (children of Nathan and Bethy), Emma and Henry Piwonka. She leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and light that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Rosary will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan on October 22, 2026, at 10:00 am, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 am. Reception immediately following Mass in the parish activity center. Interment will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church Cemetery in Frenstat TX at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Yvonne’s memory to Meals for the Elderly (https://www.mealsfortheelderly.org/gifts-donations) in San Angelo, Texas, or to St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund (https://stjosephbcs.org/give) in Bryan, Texas.