Eleanor (Malec) Rothbauer, 102, of Hallettsville, passed away peacefully, Friday, April 26, 2024, with her family at her bedside, after being given her Last Rites.  She was born May 16, 1921, in Flint, Michigan to Walter and Anna (Smisek) Malec.  Her family moved to Hallettsville in 1931 and established the Lavaca County Tribune.  She attended Sacred Heart School until the 8th grade and then to Hallettsville High School graduating in 1938.  She married Lawrence Joseph Rothbauer on January 6, 1942.

Eleanor worked with her family at the Tribune Herald newspaper office for many years.  During World War II, when the men went to serve, she worked setting hot metal type on the Intertype/Linotype machine.  On this machine, she typed many columns of articles for the newspaper.

Eleanor was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the KJZT Society No. 2.  She loved to go to all of the church picnics with her husband to enjoy the day with friends and to dance.  She loved to bowl with her teammates on the Hruzek's Pharmacy team.  They called her "Ellie."  They were the WIBC city Champions-Handicap in 1968 and 1969.  She also bowled with the Hlavac Insurance Agency team.  In her younger years, she played softball as a short stop.  She coached the Sacred Heart School Indianettes basketball team to a district championship in 1966.  She was very athletic and elegant too.  She loved to swim with her children and taught them how to swim at the City Park swimming pool.  She loved music as she would whistle to the music on the radio in the kitchen while she cooked.  She was a happy lady and enjoyed life.  She sang in the Sacred Heart Church choir along with her dad Walter, sister Anna and brother Richard Malec.  She would always dress up wearing her hose and high heel shoes even when she went shopping.  It was her positive attitude that kept her going through life.  She was kind-hearted and a good listener.  She was always there for you with good advice.

After Eleanor was unable to live by herself, she moved to The Williamsburg House.  The staff was very caring and considerate.  She enjoyed her stay there.  Later, she moved to Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center and resided there for 14 years.  She enjoyed playing dominoes, bingo and even the Wii Bowling game.  She was good at the games she played.  She would also sit in the lobby to visit with the residents while eating her Hershey's chocolate candy bars.  The staff said that she never complained and was so easy going.  Her nurses and staff were the best.  They all called her "Ellie."  We thank Schulenburg Regency nurses and doctor for their excellent care for her.  Also, want to thank Jerome Nathaniel, Regency's van driver, for taking her to and from her birthday parties and to the doctor's visits.  Special thanks to Dr. Maurice Wilkinson for being her doctor and pulling her through three Covid infections.  Dr. Wilkinson described her and a "Jewel."  Also, special thanks to the Lavaca Medical Center nurses and doctors during her hospital stays.

Sincere thanks to Hospice of South Texas for their kindness to her during her most difficult times.  Eleanor was a devoted wife and caregiver for her husband, adoring sister, aunt, neighbor and friend with a loving, kind and generous heart.  Eleanor was indeed a pleasure to be around and will truly be missed.

Eleanor has reached the end of her journey.  She will always walk with us and be in our hearts.  She will live inside our laughter.  God made a wonderful person and gave her to us.

Eleanor is survived by:  children, Margaret (Albert) Pozzi, Lawrence (Shirley) Rothbauer, Jr., Richard (Judith) Rothbauer and Barbara (Marvin) Koehne; grandchildren, Jonathan (Shelley) Pozzi, Trisca and Laura Rothbauer, Kevin (Devra) Rothbauer, Mark (Jennifer) Rothbauer, Dr. Jaclyn Koehne (Scot) Smith; great grandchildren, Michael and Jacob Pozzi, Dawson and Brenna Smith, Myles and Macy and Chancey Brooks, Jr.; and sister Leona Biehunko.

Eleanor was preceded in death by:  her parents, her husband Lawrence J. Rothbauer Sr.; sisters, Margaret (Malec) Dibala and baby Dibala, Anna Malec and Lillian (Malec) Pearson; brothers, Vladmir, Richard and Joseph Malec; grandson: Clayton Lee Koehne; brothers-in-law, Lawrence T. Biehunko and William D. Pearson; and sister-in-law Pearl Malec.

Funeral Mass Service: 2 pm, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville; with Visitation starting at 1 pm; and Rosary starting at 1:30 pm. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Pallbearers: Kevin Rothbauer, Mark Rothbauer, Jonathan Pozzi, Scot Smith, Laura Rothbauer and Myles Brooks. Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the donor's choice. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.