MILDRED MARIE JANAK

   HALLETTSVILLE - Mildred Marie Janak, 82, of Hallettsville, completed her earthly journey and entered her heavenly reward on Aug. 15, 2011. She was the epitome of a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. Mildred was born on July 1, 1929, to Albert (A.W.) and Bessie Krejci of Shiner. Mildred was the second eldest of six children. On April 11, 1950, Mildred married the love of her life, Joseph D. Janak, and they made their home on the family farm located in the Wied community, west of Hallettsville. Her life's joy was working alongside her husband raising Charolais cattle and farming various crops. She was a lifelong Catholic and a member of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Shiner.
   Mildred enjoyed being actively involved in numerous social and civic organizations. She organized a local Young Homemakers of Texas Chapter (YHT) in Hallettsville, and served as the first chapter president. She was awarded "Outstanding Young Homemaker of the Year" for 1963-1964. During her tenure with Area III YHT, she served as president and was elected state vice president in 1965-1967, where she was responsible for implementing the first handbook to be used by State YHT members. Throughout her years with YHT, Mildred engaged in various fundraisers benefiting the local hospital, along with fashioning and sewing various items for the cancer patients, and providing hospital and nursing home patients with handmade Christmas décor for the holidays. As the organization championed patriotism, community outreach, and beautification in the home and environment, Mildred's advocacy and pursuit in these convictions garnered her a letter of commendation from then First Lady, Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson.
   She was a member of the Lavaca County Farm Bureau, serving on numerous committees, helping in the Lavaca County Cancer Crusade, assisting with the National March of Dimes Foundation, and judging floats for the neighboring communities' Chamber of Commerce parades.
   Mildred was the Wied community 4-H club leader for many years teaching youth leadership skills and how to positively impact their communities. She helped organize the Tri-Community Fairs of Wied, Witting and Moravia as she was especially fond of teaching youth about the four food groups and proper nutrition. Her prowess in the kitchen led her to begin a recipe column in the local Tribune/Herald newspaper where she shared her expertise and artistry in baking kolaches, Vanocka (Czech Christmas bread), strudels and preparing other culinary delights. Mildred fed a multitude of hired farmhands and in a pinch, she prepared a bountiful feast all from her garden, pantry or freezer for everyone to enjoy.
   Taking great pride in acknowledging the role her Czech ancestors allowed for her existence, Mildred embraced a new project when her childrearing responsibilities ended. With her affinity for writing, her love for travel, and an interest in genealogy, she and her husband, Joe D., embarked on quests to the Czech Republic researching their family heritage. These sojourns yielded the compilation of three history-filled books documenting the lineage of the Janak and Krejci families dating back to the 17th century.
   Being the consummate mother and matriarch of her family, Mildred was the foundation of love, support, generosity, strength, and was unequivocally devoted to them, as her heart knew no boundaries. It is said that the measure of man's character is not what he gets from his ancestors, but what he leaves his descendants. The legacy our mother left us-her steadfast faith in God, her selflessness, her endurance to prevail, her staunchness in profound moral and ethical values, is a timeless and priceless gift we can only hope to pass on.
   Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, A.W. and Bessie Krejci.
   She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Joseph D. Janak Sr.; daughter, Karen Patek and husband Victor Jr. of Shiner; daughter, Janice Klekar of Austin; son, Joseph D. Janak Jr. and wife Carol of Victoria; daughter, Laurie Ann Marek and husband Gary of Shiner; grandchildren, Dr. Alison Dolce and husband Dr. Donnie of Silver Spring, M.D., Ashley Wagner and husband Wyatt of Shiner, Amber Patek of Amarillo, Justin Klekar and wife Amanda of Bastrop, Kristin Hull and husband Brad of Belton, Travis Janak and wife Sara of Victoria, James Janak and fiancée Melanie Hamilton of Houston, and Stephen Janak of Victoria; and great-grandchildren, Kennedy Reese Klekar, Brooks Bradley Hull, and Elizabeth Ann Janak.
   She is also survived by three sisters, Sidonia Mayer, Emily Bordovsky and husband Paul, Margie Kocian, and two brothers, Allen Krejci and wife Bea, and Albert Krejci Jr. and wife Lisa, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
   The family would like to express their appreciation to the doctors and nursing staff at Citizens Hospital in Victoria, who cared for her lovingly during her final days, and to the skilled staff at Homewood Residence where Mildred resided since September 2010.
   Pallbearers will be Justin Klekar, Travis, James and Stephen Janak, Brad Hull, Wyatt Wagner and Donnie Dolce.
   Honorary pallbearers are Elizabeth Ann Janak, Brooks Bradley Hull, and Kennedy Reese Klekar.
   Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects to Mildred at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.thielecooper.com.
   A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 306 South Main Street, Shiner. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, 1648 FM 340, Hallettsville.
   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mildred's memory to the Msgr. Hubert J. Janak Seminary Burse (Victoria Diocese) or the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church Endowment Fund.
   Arrangements by Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home in Yoakum, 361-293-5656.