Daniel Kallus

Daniel Louis Kallus, 72, of Ganado, went to be with our Lord on Monday, July 23, 2018. He was born at home in LaSalle, Texas on Sunday, August 26, 1945 to Emil and Mary Steffek Kallus.     Daniel grew up in Edna where he graduated from Edna High School in 1963 and went on to attend Wharton County Junior College, earning an Associate's degree, before pursuing a degree in Agricultural Education at Sam Houston State University, where he graduated in May 1968.       Daniel became a biology Tteacher at Port Lavaca ISD for one year. On May 31, 1969 he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Mary Ann Juranek at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Edna, and together they moved to Houston, where he worked as a lab technician for Baroid Chemical for one year. During that time, he enlisted in the Army National Guard and served as a field radio mechanic from November 1969 to June 1975, when he was honorably discharged.       He was most appreciated by the staff and students of Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, where he taught agriculture for four years. In 1976, having had enough of the "Big City Life", he moved his family back to Edna to be closer to family and get back to his farming roots.  Soon, he began to farm, and pursue his love of woodworking, where he enjoyed making a living doing carpentry work for others. After a few years, he finally settled his family in Ganado, where he would then share his passion for farming with his two sons, who have both followed in his footsteps.       Daniel was a loving, husband, father and grandfather. He was very dedicated and worked hard over the years to provide for his family. Throughout his life, up until his last day, he taught his children the value of hard work. He demonstrated that you can do anything that you set your mind to. He was a "Jack of all trades, and Master of none". He did everything from building cabinets and furniture and harvesting truckloads of pecans to building barns and putting up his own grain storage bins, all while farming his own land.  He even built the house they lived in with his own two hands, with one son by his side, while the other tended the crops in the field. He could and would fix anything and everything. He repaired his own farming equipment, maintained his own automobiles, did his own welding, plumbing and electrical work and he even dug his own irrigation wells and helped install his pivot system. He even took time to repair his grandkids' bikes and toys and built them a homemade swing set in his backyard.     When the day's work was done, he cherished the time spent with family. There was not a better day in his life than when he was able to spend it with "his pride and joy" –  his children and grandchildren.  His grandchildren adored their "Popo".  He also enjoyed travelling with his family, going on hunting trips with close friends and relatives, and watching the Cowboys and Aggies play.     Daniel was a devoted Catholic and an active member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council #3204.     Daniel is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Mary Ann Juranek Kallus; their sons, Teddy Kallus and wife, Rona of Port Lavaca; Mark Kallus and wife, Jennifer of Ganado; daughter, Judy Bradicich and husband, Mark of Sugarland; his 10 grandchildren, Kyngslea Kallus of Port Lavaca; Sydney Kallus, Gianna Kallus, Bella Grace Kallus, Gabriel Kallus, and Xavier Kallus of Ganado; Susanna Bradicich, Lauren Bradicich, Adam Bradicich, and Christopher Bradicich of Sugarland; brothers, Albert Kallus (Betty) and Eugene Kallus (Linda) of Edna; and Harvey Kallus (Claudia) of Victoria.  Daniel has been preceded in death by his parents, his brother, John "Johnny" Kallus, and his grandson, Isaac Mark Kallus.        Visitation was held on Friday, July 27 from 5-7 p.m., with a Rosary being recited at 6 p.m. at the Ganado Funeral Home Chapel.  The Funeral Mass was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 28 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Ganado with Father Kirby Hlavaty officiating. Burial immediately followed at the Assumption Catholic Cemetery.     Pallbearers were David Kallus, Dennis Kallus, Russell Kallus, Gary Greathouse, Larson Steffek, Lance Steffek, Rian Juranek, Eric Juranek.  Honorary Pallbearers were:  Albert Kallus, Eugene Kallus, Harvey Kallus, Gerald Kucera, Albert Steffek, Leonard Steffek, James Steffek, Edwin Juranek, Carl Greathouse, Tommy Boepple, Matthew Boepple, Maurice Glover, Kyle Glover.     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a memorial contribution be made in his name to the "maintenance fund" of Assumption Catholic Church P.O. Box 369, Ganado, TX  77962 or to the charity of your choice.     Services have been entrusted to Russell Todish of Ganado Funeral Home, 361-771-2120.