Mrs. Bessie Pekar Sitka, 93, of Hallettsville, died Sunday, February 10, 2008. She was born on July 29, 1914 to James William & Annie Fait Pekar in Lavaca County, Texas. She married Joe J. "Smokey" Sitka on May 28, 1960 in Sweet Home, Texas, and moved to his family farm and home in Wied where they shared 36 years of marriage.

Bessie was a retired seamstress and resided at Steven's Nursing Home in Hallettsville. She was a member of KJZT Society #3, St. Mary's Altar Society, and St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt and god-mother of her nieces and nephews. She never gave birth to a child, but yet, she loved and was loved by many children, and was simply known as "Aunt Bessie" by many.

Most people probably think Aunt Bessie led a simple life and was a simple person; but there was so much more to Aunt Bessie. She could grow a bountiful garden, raise her chickens and livestock; butcher them and prepare a meal fit for royalty. She made the best lemon pie around. Aunt Bessie could make snowy white soap to bathe in or get the laundry spotlessly clean. She could sew an entire wardrobe and make down pillows and featherbeds. She stitched lovely hand made quilts and embroidered pillow cases and towels. She made toys out of corn cobs, spools and rags and she could even entertain you because she had a sense of humor and could laugh at herself. She enjoyed doing word puzzles and played a mean game of dominoes and never got tired of playing bingo.

Bessie is survived by: her sister Mary Pekar Knezek; half-sister Evelyn Pekar Opela; brother William P. Pekar; sister-in-law Martha Sitka; devoted friend and roommate Evelyn Sklar; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bessie was preceded in death by: husband Smokey on March 25, 1997; parents; step-mother Mary Dworsky Pekar; brother John C. Pekar; and step-brothers, Alfonse, Alfred, and Richard Dworsky.

Service: 10 am, Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Visitation: 2 pm, Monday at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosaries: 7 pm, Monday at Kubena Funeral Home; and 9:30 am, Tuesday at St. Mary's Church. Pallbearers: Walter Knezek Jr., Frank Knezek, Johnny Knezek, Harvey Knezek, Dale Pekar, Bill Pekar, Jeffery Opela, Roy Langhoff, and Marvin Dolezal. Officiate: Rev. John Peters. Burial: St. Ludmilla's Catholic Cemetery, Wied, Texas. Memorials: Hospice of South Texas, or Donor's Choice.