Bernice Sisak Sisak Rainosek

Bernice Egypt Sisak Rainosek, 86, passed away Friday, Nov.29 while in hospice care in Smithville. Born to Joe and Celia Sisak Jan. 10, 1927, Bernice was raised in the communities of Smithville and Luling, graduating from Smithville High School in 1945. She worked at Camp Swift after World War II and succeeding years, and focused on geology courses while attending the University of Texas for several semesters. In 1953, she married Frank Rainosek, also of Smithville. In the early years of their marriage, Bernice lost four children in childbirth until 1957, when their first son, Frank Rainosek Jr., was born. In 1962, the Rainosek's adopted their second son, Mark Rainosek.

In the mid-60s, Bernice took a job in the Correspondence Audit division of the Internal Revenue Service in South Austin, a position she held for 34 years. In her later years, she worked at Walmart in Bastrop, primarily in the Garden Center.

To her family, Bernice was known for her deep concern for the welfare of family members and her enjoyment of family get-togethers. It seems appropriate that her death came the morning after a favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. Her personal interests ranged from dancing , cooking, playing dominos to reading; she especially enjoyed medical texts and encyclopedias. A lifelong Catholic, Bernice was skillful with a paintbrush and at one time had completed a painting of the church in which her funeral ceremony is being conducted. She was a happy person.

The death of Bernice Rainosek followed her husband’s passing barely two months ago, Sept. 21. Survivors include her son Frank Rainosek, Jr., son Mark Rainosek and his wife Sheila, daughter-in-law Kathy Rainosek and granddaughter Erin Rainosek, sister Gladys Allen and husband James Allen and many nieces and nephews.

Services were conducted Thursday, Dec. 5 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kovar.