Blanka Novak Nedbalek

Blanka Nedbalek “Grandma” was born in Czechoslovakia on Wednesday, the 25th of October 1939 to Rudolf and Ruzena Novak. She passed away in Houston, Texas on Saturday, the 2nd of February 2013, at age 73. Blanka is preceded in death by her parents, Rudolf and Ruzena and a son, Zbynek Nedbalek.

Blanka leaves behind her loving husband of 55 years, Zdenek Nedbalek; brother, Rudolf and Jana Novak; son, Zdenek & Roberta Nedbalek and daughter, Blanka Hale Patschke. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Cadance & Travis Wager, Ronald Hale & Amanda Burke, Bradley Hale II & Irvin Micheal, Kyla Hale & Charlie Abeldano, Miranda and Chris Carrasco and Daniel Nedbalek; great-grandchildren: Alex, Brandon, Keilee, Evan, Carter, Trevor, Tye and Kymber and a niece, Zuzana.

Blanka grew up in Bohosoudov, Czechoslovakia with her parents and brother. She met the love of her life at the city pool at age 11 1/2 and it was love at first sight. She married Zdenek Nedbalek on July 13, 1957 at the Saint Mary’s Cathedral Church in Czechoslovakia.

They lived an exciting life together in Czechoslovakia. There she was a Taxi driver and even a motorcycle stunt woman! Blanka and Zdenek “Danny” left Czechoslovakia in 1969 and lived shortly in New York where Blanka worked as a machinist. Not too long after living in New York, Blanka and Zdenek took their children on a road trip across the United States and fell in love with Texas. After returning to New York, they packed up all their belongings and moved to Texas where they have called home ever since.

In 1990, 21 years after leaving Czechoslovakia Blanka and Zdenek returned to the place they called “home”, Czechoslovakia. Over the years they visited family and friends in “The Old Country” but always returned to Texas.

Blanka spent her time in Texas as an Amway Distributor, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother (G.G.ma to be exact). She enjoyed all her life experiences but family was the most important. A love that will last a lifetime.

Blanka attended the Houston Brethren Church, was a member in the Christian Sisters and an active member of SPJST Lodge 196 Houston-West.

A celebration of Blanka’s life was held at 10:30am on Sunday, February 17th at the Houston Brethren Church located at 6207 N. Main St., Houston, TX 77009 (at 23rd Street).

All enjoyed the morning worship service by Dr. Jerry Terrill, followed by a lunch to celebrate her life and the love we each had for her.

Blanka Nedbalek will forever be in our hearts with her beautiful smile.

In lieu of flowers those desiring may forward memorial contributions to the family.