Elizabeth "Liz" Janak, 76, of Sweet Home, departed this life on Sunday, September 22, 2019, surrounded by her family. She was born on September 6, 1943, in Houston, Texas, to Arnold and Lydia Jurek, and grew up in Sheldon and Denver Harbor. She attended Resurrection Catholic School and graduated from Incarnate Word Academy, where she made many lifelong friends. Always an avid reader, she decided to be a nurse from her reading of the Cherry Ames novels, and took a job in the Medical Center as an aide at Methodist Hospital. She also worked for Southern National Bank in Houston, and later found her calling in life as a tax accountant and bookkeeper..

Liz enjoyed a fun social life with her friends. You could find them attending dances in East Bernard and at Bill Mraz Dance Hall. You can bet she met many good-looking guys, but the one who stole her heart was a guitar-playing Czech boy from Hallettsville, Texas. Liz married Hubert Janak on February 4, 1968 at Christ the King Church in Houston, Texas. They celebrated their first dance as a married couple to the music of Jimmy Brosch and the Happy Country Playboys at the Knights of Columbus Hall on East Whitney Drive.

Hubert and Liz spent the early years of their marriage in North Houston, making many memories with their neighbors Harry and Vernell Macik and the families of the members of the City Polka Boys. Liz was able to work successfully as an income tax preparer and bookkeeper while raising their children. In 1980, Hubert and Liz moved to Mont, Texas to let their children grow up in "the country". Here, Liz was able to continue her business, Elizabeth Janak Bookkeeping and Income Tax Service , while also handling the paperwork for their ranching business, the H&L Ranch. She was always there to pick up Hubert from the fields when needed (sometimes, he would have her wait for hours), drive the truck during hay hauling season, or spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon chatting with the band wives while Hubert played with the band.

Liz enjoyed volunteering at Southern Manor Nursing Home and being involved in the community. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion, the Texas Extension Education Association, the Garden Club, the Red Hats, the CB Club at the Sweet Home Community Center, as well as other community organizations. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, SPJST and the KJZT. She also served as an officer of Smothers Creek KJT Society #15.

Liz's zest for life could be felt through her love of travel, whether it would be Caribbean cruising, Louisiana gambling, taking a European tour, or riding in a bus to the Hill Country. She also enjoyed being part of the audience at an Elvis impersonator show or at the Shiner Gaslight Theatre. After Hubert passed away, and she was diagnosed with her illness, she continued to live her life to the fullest until the last few months of her life.

Liz is survived by: her children, Monica Lanelle, Patricia Elaine & husband Brent Redding, and Dennis Wayne; grandchildren, Maryssa, Justin, Travis and Katie Redding; 2 sisters, Judy Humphries, and Linda Dierschke & husband Johnnie; 2 sisters-in-law, Madelyn Jurek and Margaret Bludau; brother-in-law Kenneth Lewis; godchildren Michael Dierschke and Amanda Jurek McBee; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Liz was preceded in death by; her parents, husband, her in-laws Eddie and Georgie Janak, sister Claudine Lewis, brother Robert Jurek, nephew Kenny Lewis, and brothers-in-law Ronnie Humphries and William Bludau.

Memorial Funeral Service : 11 am, Saturday, September 28, 2019, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home, with Visitation starting at 10 am. Officiant: Rev Dominic Antwi-Boasiako. Burial: Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery in Sweet Home. Memorials (in lieu of flowers): Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home, Texas; Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center Inc. (TCHCC), P. O. Box 6, La Grange, TX 78945, www.czechtexas.org; or Donor's Choice.