On Sunday, June 14th, 2026, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Mary Katherine Pustka, was carried peacefully into the arms of Jesus and welcomed into her eternal Heavenly home. She passed peacefully at her home surrounded by the love of her family.
Mary was born on December 18, 1945, in Pearsall, Texas, and spent her childhood and school years in Victoria, Texas. Some of her fondest memories were spending summers on her father’s ranch in Bandera, Texas. Following high school, she attended community college in Houston, where she studied administration.
On June 10, 1967, Mary married the love of her life, Dennis Pustka. Together they built a beautiful life centered around faith, family, friendship, and hard work. They welcomed their first son, Dennis Jr., in October 1969 and their second son, Jeff, in August 1972. Mary and Dennis shared more than fifty years of marriage before Dennis’ passing, and their love remained a source of inspiration to all who knew them.
Mary spent most of her professional career in the natural gas distribution industry. She began her career with Moran Gas Company in Conroe. Through the years, the company was purchased by Entex and later became CenterPoint Energy, where she eventually retired after many years of dedicated service. Many of her coworkers affectionately knew her as “Mary K” or “Special K,” nicknames that reflected the warmth, humor, and personality she brought to every workplace and friendship.
In January 2026, Mary was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic and lung cancer. True to her character, she faced her illness with remarkable strength, grace, and faith. Surrounded by her family and sustained by her unwavering belief in God, she continued to live each day with purpose, love, and gratitude.
Family was the center of Mary’s world. She loved spending time with family and friends and especially enjoyed traveling with her close friends. When she became a grandmother and later a great-grandmother, she embraced those roles with joy and enthusiasm. She rarely missed an opportunity to support her family and could often be found cheering from the stands at football games, baseball fields, softball tournaments, soccer matches, volleyball games, and cheer competitions. Keeping up with her grandchildren kept her busy, and she loved every minute of it.
Mary had a passion for arts and crafts. Whether she was creating holiday wreaths, making handmade jewelry, or attending craft shows with her friends and daughters-in-law, she found joy in creating things with her hands and sharing them with others. She also was never afraid of hard work. Whenever Dennis and the boys were processing meat or making sausage, Mary was right there alongside them—not because she had to be, but because she genuinely enjoyed being part of whatever her family was doing.
A devoted Catholic, Mary was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe. Her faith guided every aspect of her life. She was deeply involved in her church community and never hesitated to volunteer whenever help was needed. No matter the task, she was often among the first to step forward and lend a helping hand.
Mary never met a stranger. She saw the good in everyone and carried no ill will toward anyone. Her kindness, warmth, and welcoming spirit left a lasting impression on all who knew her. She was an exceptional cook, though she would have been the first to disagree. Her cookies, homemade bread, rolls, and famous banana pudding were favorites at every family gathering. While many family members will undoubtedly treasure her recipe books, those closest to her know that some of her best recipes were never fully written down. Mary always seemed to add a little something extra that made every dish uniquely her own.
She also shared a special bond with her beloved Havanese, Lucy Mae, who brought her endless companionship, comfort, and joy.
Mary’s greatest legacy is the love she shared with her family, her faith, her friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know her. She taught by example, showing those around her the importance of faith, compassion, generosity, perseverance, and unconditional love. Her influence will continue to live on through the generations she leaves behind.
Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband of more than 50 years, Dennis Pustka; her father, John Marshall Cline; her mother, Margaret Marian Shuford; her brother, David Cline; her sister, Ann Wooley; her brother, Robert Gulley; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
She is survived by her two sons, Dennis Pustka Jr. and wife Kathy, and Jeff Pustka and wife Shara; grandchildren, Austin Pustka and wife Kelsey, Karly Pustka, Madison Goff and husband Micah, Raegan Williamson and husband Brandon, Cameron Pustka, and Cason Pustka; great-grandchildren: Brixton Goff, Brinkley Goff, Carter Johnson, Callie Pustka, and Lily Williamson.
She is also survived by her brother, Ed Gulley; sisters-in-law, Bernice Keifer, Evelyn Siegel and husband Richard, and Susan Pustka; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Though our hearts are broken by her passing, we find comfort in knowing she is whole again, healed of all earthly illness, and reunited with Dennis. The love she shared so freely throughout her life will remain in our hearts forever.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Cashner Funeral Home in Conroe, Texas beginning at 2:00 PM.
Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather for food, refreshments, and fellowship at the home of Dennis and Kathy Pustka, as we celebrate Mary’s life and the many memories she leaves behind.
