Erna was born on March 31, 1913, in Shiner, to Charles and Hulda (Strauss) Dolejsi. She married Joe Barta on June 26, 1940 in Shiner. She gave birth to a son, Edward, on May 23, 1941 in Yoakum, and a daughter, Patricia, on June 16, 1946 in Shiner.
After owning and operating a gas station and general store in Shiner, the Barta family moved to East Bernard and purchased a tavern. Joe passed away in 1956 of a heart attack, so Erna sold the tavern. She worked for several years in East Bernard as a seamstress for Joe Frank’s Apparel, a nurse’s aide at the hospital and in the school cafeteria at East Bernard High School. She was also an active volunteer at Holy Cross Catholic School. Both of her children graduated from East Bernard High School.
In 1979, Erna moved back to Shiner where she spent her later years. In Shiner, she was an active member of Ladies Aid at Dr. Martin Luther Church, making quilts for the needy and for the church’s graduating high school seniors. She was also a regular volunteer at the nursing home next door to the church.
Erna was a gifted gardener and seamstress, a fierce domino player who didn’t take well to losing, she made the best poppy seed kolaches this side of Prague, and she loved to take frequent bus trips to Louisiana casinos. She lived a long, healthy, independent life and was still driving and living in the little white house at 209 East Ninth Street until her death.
Erna was preceded in death by her father and mother; brother PFC Frank Dolejsi who was killed in action on Anzio Beachhead in Italy during World War II; brother Allen Dolejsi of Shiner; brother John Dolejsi of Wharton; an infant brother; sister Emma Polka of Victoria; sister Ella Sestak of Shiner; sister Elsie Hundl of Wharton; and her son, Edward Barta of Shiner.
She is survived by her brother, Charles of Port Lavaca; sister-in-law, Ruby of Wharton; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Joe Crow of Austin; grandson and wife, Chad and Kori Crow of Austin; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She will be sorely missed.
A visitation will be held this evening, December 14, from 5pm to 7pm in Shiner at Buffington Funeral Home (520 North Avenue C). And a service will be held at 11am on Thursday, December 15, at Buffington Funeral Home with a graveside service immediately to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a breast cancer research charity.
Arrangements under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home, Shiner, TX.
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