Martha Vrana Stefek

Martha Mary Stefek, age 84, went to be with the Lord on April 10, 2014. Martha was a lifelong faithful Catholic and member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was a beloved wife, loving mother, and devoted daughter and sister. She is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Emil John Stefek, her brother Frank Vrana of Taylor, and grandson Ryan Sladecek of Austin. She is survived by five brothers and two sisters: Rudy (Helen) Vrana of Beasley, Marcella Neal of Taylor, Joe (Betty) Vrana of Taylor, Mary Hendrix of Taylor, Stanley Vrana of Austin, Willie (Sherry) Vrana of Taylor, and Johnny (Diane) Vrana of Granger; four daughters: Martha Ann (Jerry) Majek, Josie (Benno) Kaufmann, Tricia (Johnny) Majek of Corpus Christi, and Mary (Richard) Sladecek of Austin; 17 grandchildren: Jeanette (Jack), Jerome (Heidi), Jannell (Claude), Jeff (Chrissy), Michael, Rachelle (Christian), Emily (Joe), Benjamin (Kimpton), Richard, Mary (Mark), Justin (Kasey), Julie (Brandon), Jonathan (Megan), Robert (Lindsay), Jennifer (Tom), Christopher (Jordan), and Nicholas; 23 great-grandchildren: Brian (Marissa), Kristal, Jaylon (Buck), Joseph, Krysta, James (Katie), Lauren, Melanie, Ivy, Emil, Austin, Lyla, Tom, Minie Marenka, Carter,

John-John, Marek, Nathan, Victoria, Connor, John, Mikolaj and Isabella; and four great-great-grandchildren: Braylen, Audie, Mila, and Braxton; and several nieces and nephews.

Martha was born on November 27, 1929 in Granger, Texas to Stanley and Wilma Dubec Vrana, who were farmers. She was the oldest daughter of nine children and she was responsible for caring for her younger siblings while her parents worked in the field. She married Emil John Stefek, also from Granger, on August 3, 1948. They enjoyed 51 years of marriage and together raised four devoted daughters. They developed E.J. Stefek Construction Company which they owned and operated for 33 years together as well as Atlas Aquarium and South Texas Spray On Systems. In addition, together they built, owned and managed an apartment complex for over 50 years.

Martha loved her work! She worked selflessly often well into the late night hours attending to every last detail. While raising four daughters, she strived for perfection in her kitchen, her home, her yard, and in her businesses. She often stated she had the "strong hands of a farmer's daughter". Everyone enjoyed Martha's fresh baked bread and delicious kolaches. She had a passion for gardening with a special fondness for roses. Gardening was therapeutic to her and she was even awarded "Yard of the Month". Her strong hands mirrored an even stronger spiritual love of her Catholic faith. She prayed the rosary faithfully every day for her family and friends in need and in her later years watched televised Mass daily and EWTN. You could always count on Martha when you needed a prayer. Her generosity and friendliness were frequently noted. Many found their way into her heart and home.

Martha was very proud of her family, her children, grandchildren and all their accomplishments. She was also of her Czech heritage and Czech music. She especially enjoyed listening to her daughter play the accordion. She watched in admiration as her family members played in the Leo Majek Orchestra. Martha was a member of the St. Theresa's Altar Society, the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima and SPJST Lodge 79. Martha will be missed among family, friends, and community. Her spirit will live on with us.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. John Pettigrove, Dr. Charles Schechter, Dr. Minh Nguyen, and caregivers Martha Winkler, Monica Monsivais, the staff at Mirador and Amedisys and Pathfinder Home Health Services. Viewing will be at Cage-Mills Funeral Home on Sunday, April 13, 2014 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm with the family being present from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Rosary will be prayed at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1302 Lantana, that same evening at 7:30pm. Resurrection Mass will be celebrated at St. Theresa Catholic Church on Monday, April 14, 2014 at 10:30 am with Msgr. Mark Chamberlain and Fr. Don Downey as celebrants. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Jerome Majek, Jeff Martinez, Michael Sladecek, Benjamin Kaufmann, Justin Majek, Richard Sladecek, Jr., Jonathan Kaufmann, Robert Sladecek, Christopher Kaufmann, and Nicholas Kaufmann. If one wishes, memorial contributions can be made to St. Theresa Catholic Church.