Verlene Piwetz

Verlene was born into the Czech community of in Ellinger, Texas. Her mother Emelia (Zapalac) Hrachovy passed away when Verlene was at the early age of twelve. She grew up with her grandmother, learning to appreciate life and her faith along with her brother Charles Hrachovy and sister Leonita “Kitty” (Hrachovy) Knippel. She had a kind and generous heart and always put others first. She attended school in Ellinger and initially she and the family spoke Czech. Later during the time of World War II, she attended nursing school where she was honored to be one of the highest ranking graduates.

She met the love of her life, Ludwig Joe “L.J.” Piwetz of Fayetteville, Texas and eventually married on July 20, 1947, in St. John’s Catholic Church of Fayetteville, Texas.

She moved to North Houston to be with L.J. and start their life anew. Their first born son, Ronald “Ronnie” Piwetz, was born on September 28, 1948. They lived in North Houston and attended Assumption Catholic Church. She worked as an emergency room nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in the 1950s, treating the sick and ministering to those in need. Their second son, Michael Piwetz, was born on September 18, 1961. They moved to Shepherd Park Plaza in the early 1960s and soon thereafter became a stay at home mom with Mike. Later in life, Verlene would rejoin the work force as a florist with Flower Time Florist.

L.J. and Verlene enjoyed their country roots and after L.J. retired they bought a farm in Giddings, Texas. Many great years were spent there enjoying the countryside, hunting and farming along with family. Verlene and L.J. eventually sold their farm and had their sights on Sargent, Texas in the early 90s where they bought a bay house. They enjoyed going down to the bay with activities such as visiting the beach, fishing, boating and enjoying the sea breeze with their family and friends. Verlene especially loved to catch blue crab, one of her favorite past times.

Verlene loved her yard and was constantly working in it until recent years. Even though the family was concerned about her, she always said “If something happens to me, I am doing what I love to do!” She was especially fond of animals and their care as well. For years she has taken care of Mrs. P, a neighborhood cat that adopted her, following her around the yard.

She loved her casino trips to Delta Downs with her friends and especially Teresa Mire. She also attended the YMCA’s Silver Sneaker club where she exercised with her friends for many years. Verlene and L.J. were members of St. Rose of Lima for better than 55 years and enjoyed may activities at the Church, especially the parish festivals. She used to talk about her and the women of St. Rose making potato salad by hand in a kid’s plastic swimming pool. Travel was important and they were members of the Rambling Roses travel club who went on numerous trips. They also went on several trips with their friends at Prosperity Bank.

She attended the Thursday Club meetings to visit with her friends and play 31, a card game. It was common for her to boast of bringing home the quarters and often had to borrow a few as well. She also played 31 with family during the holidays and she was pretty determined to go home with everyone’s quarters!

She looked forward to the Altar Society meetings and was proud to have her “girls” pick her up for the meetings in her later years so she could attend.

She was a member of the Stitches To Assist Recovery (STAR) Ministry where she took pride in producing pillows to aid those recovering in hospitals and in need of comfort. Rather than use her sewing machine, she would hand stitch the pillows because she felt they looked better that way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband L.J. Piwetz, sister Kitty Knippel, and son Ronald Piwetz. She is survived by her brother Charley Hrachovy, son Mike Piwetz - daughter in law Linda and grandson Travis Piwetz, daughter in law Cecelia - granddaughters Christine and Stephanie Piwetz, and an extended family of numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Carmen her caregiver for many years and the caregivers at Hail Mary Care, Sonia, Diane and Daniella. Without them, her final years of independence and being able to live at home would have been impossible.

Verlene requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church or the charity of your choice.

All services for Verlene will be on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman Houston, TX 77018. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Rosary to follow at 11:00 AM. Her funeral mass will be at 11:30 AM. Committal service will be at 2:00 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Houston, TX 77038.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pathfoleyfuneraldirectors.com for the Piwetz family.