Robert Janysek

Mother Teresa once challenged people to be "the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." And Robert's life embraced this challenge. The treasures of his heart were evident: his family and faith; anything his kids were involved in; his community. His neighbor's joy was his joy; his neighbor's heart ache was his heart ache. He was the dad holding the sign when the bus came back from a marching band contest. He was "that dad" with the corny dad jokes, wearing the dad shorts. He lived his life genuinely, and in so doing, he invited us to be our true selves in his presence. He was simple yet profound, the best of us yet humble-a hometown hero.
In his youth, Robert would wake up out of habit on a Saturday morning and accompany his father to the family farm, his father's only son. He baled the hay, mended the fences, and hunted doves every fall. Robert graduated from Karnes City High School in 1983. He was a guard for the Badgers' 1982 district-winning football team. No spectator cheered more loudly than his own father, crafting his own signs to rouse the crowds. Robert marched with the high school's band the year it won district honors that same year, dazzling halftime crowds. He and his classmates nurtured teamwork and excellence, and they brought much joy to each other and their community, creating cherished memories in the process.
Robert followed his heart and worked as his forefathers did before him: as a farmer, a rancher, and water well serviceman. He worked hard, with honesty and respect-and always kindness. He faithfully tended a farm and bloodline of cattle dating back to his great grandfather. He burned prickly pear when the hay was scarce. And he plowed row after row of fields, year after year, contemplating the world around him in his own remarkable way. Every holiday was brighter with Robert around. He would light up the farm skies and his family's hearts with his fireworks displays.
Robert married Kathleen Dupnik on a spring day in 2003. Kathleen was the answer to his grandmother's prayers-just the kind of woman she hoped he would marry one day. Together they raised three children in Hobson: Robbie, Kyle, and Angela. As parents, they nurtured their children with faith, faithfulness, love, and support. And their children now offer their family this same precious care.
Robert and his family attended the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Panna Maria, holding fast to the faith of his fathers. His ancestors immigrated to this same place in the nineteenth century; Robert kept the faith in the twenty-first. Robert sang in his church choir, and more importantly, with the other choir members-like his mother before him. These choir members were some of his dearest friends.
Robert was preceded in death by his sister, Tamra, and survived by his wife and three kids; his father and mother, Fabian and Gladys Janysek; by his sisters, D'Ann, Phyllis, and Nadine, and their families.
Please join them for a visitation to be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Panna Maria, followed by a rosary thereafter. A funeral mass will be celebrated in the same location the next day, on Monday, May 6, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with burial to follow.
In lieu of flowers, consider contributing to a fund set up on Robert's family's behalf. Support may be offered through the Karnes County National Bank, through PayPal (pending) or Venmo (@Kathleen-Janysek-1).
Eternal rest grant unto our dear brother and friend, Robert, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.