Ann Brogger Svetlik Birkner was born November 4, 1925 at Appelt's Hill in Lavaca County to Otto W. and Leona Appelt Brogger. She attended the New Kinkler School where she was told she had to go home and learn English before she could return, as her family spoke German at home. She was a fast learner and later graduated Salutatorian of her 1942 graduating class at Hallettsville High School. She learned business skills at Southwestern General University in Houston that served her well in her work at Otto Goedecke Cotton Firm for 25 years, Schulenburg Industries for 2 years, Hoffer Truck Company for 17 years and the Victoria College Vocational Nursing School for 10 years, retiring at age 75.

She married Ludvik J. Svetlik in 1943 with whom she bore 7 children. Marrying during the war, she left Hallettsville to join her husband in Carlsbad, New Mexico, when he returned from flying 31 missions over Europe. Their first child was born there. Her love for learning never stopped and she encouraged all her children in their educational pursuits. She was an avid reader and crossword solver and retained her sharp mind and wit to the end. Other hobbies included crochet, cross-stitch embroidery, gardening, watching Astros baseball, Dallas Cowboys and Texas A&M Aggie football. A past Treasurer and member of Catholic Daughters of America, she was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was also a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Raising a large family was her pride and joy. She could whip up a meal to feed a houseful in no time at all. Her homemade bread, kolaches and oatmeal cookies were her children's favorites. When the grand and great grandchildren came along, Christmas and Easter were marked with her generous gifts and outpouring of food.   Losing her husband to a heart attack at age 39 with 4 children still at home, one in college, one in trade school and one in seminary, her strength of will and character and her abiding faith in God pulled her through along with the loving support of dear friends and family.   She was a woman with an iron will and the discipline she gave her children resulted in their productive lives.

In 1971, she married Gordon H. Birkner and they enjoyed 32 years of marriage.

Ann is survived by: her children, Robert Svetlik (Diana), Judy Grones (Allen), Clyde Svetlik (Margaret), Larry Svetlik (Kathy), Susan Gilbert (John), Ludvik "Lou" Svetlik Jr. (Loretta), and Richard Svetlik (Margie); stepsons Gordon P. Birkner (Diana) and Bill Birkner (Debbie); 17 grandchildren, 8 step grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren; 5 step great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews along with one sister-in-law Lazelle Brogger.

Ann was preceded in death by: her parents, husbands Ludvik J. Svetlik and Gordon H. Birkner, sister Marie Voelkel Holy, brother-in-laws Arthur Voelkel and Fritz Holy, brothers James and Otto Brogger, and sister-in-law Margaret Brogger.

Funeral Mass Service: 2 pm, Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Monday, with Rosary starting at7 pm, at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Pallbearers: Robert Svetlik, Ross Grones, Jennifer Lackey, Randy Svetlik, Russell Svetlik, and Marshall Svetlik. Memorials (in lieu of flowers): Sacred Heart Catholic Church or School. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.