Alice Henkhaus Kocian, 99, of Hallettsville, passed away June 24, 2011, just 3 days before her 100th birthday. She was born on June 27, 1911 in Shiner, Texas to Elo & Minnie Kaspar Henkhaus. She married Jerome I. Kocian in Shiner on September 4, 1934. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2009.

Alice received early education at St. Ludmila's in Shiner and graduated from Shiner High School in 1929. She received her teaching certificate at Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio. She then attended San Marcos and University of Houston, where she received her B.S. degree in 1952.

Alice taught school over 30 years; Bunges, Komensky, Bauersville, and Wied in Lavaca County; Planview and Louise in Wharton County. The last 17 years of her career was teaching 2nd grade at the elementary school in Hallettsville.

Alice was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of Americas since 1932, and Texas Retired Teachers Association.

Alice is survived by: 5 sons, Robert Kocian of Houston, David Kocian & wife Alice of Plantersville, Jerry Kocian & wife Gwen of San Antonio, Donald Kocian & wife Linda of Brenham, and Carl Kocian of Schulenburg; 3 daughters, Annette Krupala & husband Wayne of Hallettsville, Jeannette Jahn & husband Jimmie of Hallettsville, and Barbara Hanna & husband Wayne of Chula, Georgia; sister Marie Jo Knippa of Yoakum; 24 grandchildren, James Kocian, Karen Abbruscato, Kim McCarson, Gary Krupala, Michael Jahn, Brian Jahn, Greg Kocian, Bruce Kocian, Amy Burleigh, Aaron Hanna, Jonathan D. Kocian, Suzanne Kocian, S. Brett Kocian, Brandon Kocian, Brandy Kocian, Lauren Kocian, Lindsey Kocian, Travis Kocian, Scott Kocian, Allison Kocian, Paige Schiro, Ashley Kocian, Matt Jacob, and Nick Jacob; 18 great grandchildren, Sherra Jean Petro, Mark Francis Abbruscato, Kiley Kocian, Michael Kocian, Colin McCarson, Emma McCarson, Kevin Jahn, Keith Jahn, Chase Kocian, Katie Kocian, Christian Kocian, Aidan Kocian, Kevin Burleigh, Caroline Burleigh, Jacob Hanna, Molly Hanna, Jack Schiro, and Joshua Schiro; and 1 great great grandchild Patrick Francis Abbruscato.

Alice was preceded in death by: her husband Jerome; parents; step-mother Elizabeth Riha Henkhaus; son James J. Kocian; brother E. J. Henkhaus; and granddaughter Sharon Gay Kocian.

A special thanks to the wonderful care givers at Williamsburg House and Helping Hearts.

Funeral Mass Service: 11 am, Monday, June 27, 2011, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Sunday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosary: 6 pm, Sunday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiate: Rev. John Peters. Pallbearers: All Grandsons. Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Charity of Your Choice. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.