Irene Cecilia Havlik

Irene Havlik, age 85, was born on October 15, 1929, in Anderson, TX, and passed away on March 13, 2015, in Katy, TX. She was born Irene Cecilia Nowak, and was employed at the Bunker Hill Elementary School and Sears. Irene was a proud member of the Polka Lovers Klub of America, the Good Sam RV Club, and the Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community. She loved dancing, gardening, music, and cooking. She was the most amazing cook, specializing in baking. Her strudels, kolaches, coconut meringue pies, and cinnamon rolls are legendary.

She often could be found on the dance floors of Czech polka dance halls throughout Texas, with her husband, Jay. She was a member of the Texas Czech polka band, The Jolly Texans, along with Jay. Irene was also lucky enough to have 60 years of marriage with the love of her life, Jay. Family meant everything to her. We will always remember the incredible holiday feasts she put together.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, John “Jay” Havlik; parents, Frank and Dorothy Nowak; sisters, Rosalie Pulpan and Elizabeth Meumier; brothers, Ambrose Nowak, Philip Nowak, and David Nowak; and grandson, Christian Havlik. She is survived by her sister, Christine Craig; brother, Frank Louis Nowak, Jr.; daughters, Carolyn Thompson and Marilyn Meyer; sons, Dan Havlik, Dennis Havlik, Paul Havlik, John Havlik, Ed Havlik, and Robert Havlik; grandchildren, Katie Combs, Carl Havlik, Michael Havlik, Jeffery Havlik, Christie Elm, Brandon Meyer, Ashley Meyer, Kelly Meyer, and Hope Havlik; and great-grandchildren, Jackson Combs, Mason Combs, and Seth Elm.

A special thanks to all of the caregivers and staff of Cinco Ranch Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, and the entire family, for their love and support.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 23rd, from 5-7 pm, with a prayer service at 7 pm, at the Chapel of Eternal Peace at Forest Park, 2454 S. Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 24th, at 11 am, at the Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community, 1530 Norwalk Dr., Katy, TX.

A reception will immediately follow in the parish hall, followed by a private interment at the Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.

Donations may be made, in memory of Irene, to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, (800) 272-3900, http://www.alz.org