Mary LaVonne Horecka

Mary LaVonne Horecka, 90, of Kingwood, TX, passed away November 27, 2012 as a result of a recent battle with cancer. Her family was by her side when she went home to the Lord. She was born to George and Mary Ella Herrmann on a farm in Manson, Iowa on December 5, 1921. She played the piccolo in the band at Manson High School, and passed on her love of music to all of her grandchildren who have played instruments or sang throughout their school years and beyond. She graduated from Iowa Teacher’s College and taught multiple grade levels in The Country School, a one-room school house in Iowa.

LaVonne’s adventurous spirit led her to San Francisco, California with her best friend Marilyn. She met her late husband and the love of her life, Paul George Horecka, who was also an Iowa native, at Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church in San Francisco. They married on November 21, 1950 in Manson, Iowa. Paul’s job with Union Carbide took them from San Francisco to New York City, to Chicago, to Detroit, and then to Kingwood, Texas. They raised six children together. Because of their dedication to education, all six of their children completed college. Paul died on August 15, 1977 on the Feast of the Assumption. After Paul’s death, LaVonne began a new career at Family Time, a social service agency in Humble, Texas. She worked there until she was 85 years old. She was a member of St. Martha’s Catholic Church since its founding in Kingwood, Texas. Mom travelled among her six children’s homes over the last 5 years, and we’ve treasured this quality time with her. Her adorable laugh, wisdom, love of family, and strong Catholic faith endeared her to all.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul G. Horecka, and infant son, Kevin John Horecka; parents, George and Ella Hermann; and siblings, Helen Oberhelman and Bernard Herrmann. She is survived by her children: Susan Wenson (Tom), Michael Horecka (Cathy), Ann Piazza (Joe Mike), Jane Mehring (Mitch), Bonnie Grisham (Rudy), and Aleece Spalding (Richard). She is also survived by her grandchildren and their families: Brad Wenson (Angela), Aleece Tousignant (Keith), Courtney Wenson; Katie Bares (Jared), Kevin Horecka; Julianne, Allison, and Joseph Piazza; Eric Cantu, Andrew and Lauren Mehring; Taylor and Michael Lee Grisham; and Ryan, Mandy, and Brooke Spalding. And she is survived by her great grandchildren Justin and Ashley Wenson, Logan and Zach Bares, and Benjamin Tousignant.; sister-in-law, Alice Deyo.

Her visitation will be held at Kingwood Funeral Home, 22800 Hwy 59 N, Kingwood, TX 77339 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 30, 2012. Her Funeral Mass will be at St. Martha’s Catholic Church, 4301 Woodridge Pkwy, Porter, TX 77365 at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 1, 2012. LaVonne will be laid to rest beside her husband at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna, Minnesota.

Donations may be made to Family Time Social Service Agency, 101 East Main St., Humble, Texas 77338 or at www.familytimeccc.org or Catholic Charities, 2900 Louisiana, Houston, TX 77006 or Martha’s Kitchen, 322 South Jensen Dr. , Houston, TX 77003.

Directions to St. Martha Catholic Church

Take 59 North to the Northpark Dr. exit

Take a right onto Northpark, after you pass through the second red light,

You will take a left onto Woodridge Parkway

Church will be on the left.