Mrs. Ella Caroline Kocian, 94, of Hallettsville, died Feb. 19, 2008. She was born on Dec. 31, 1913 to Paul F. & Matilda Brode Pilzner in Moulton, Texas. She married Godfrey "Mike" Kocian on Nov. 15, 1938 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Yoakum.

Ella, along with her husband, she stayed strong in her faith in good times and hard times. She was a member of the Altar Society, and Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Sweet Home. She was a loving and devoted mother and wife. She worked along side her husband raising their children, as well as helping with farming and ranching. She was a wonderful gardener, and produced many great vegetables and beautiful flowers.

Ella worked hard taking care of her family. She sewed, canned, cooked and always had something freshly baked for the children when they returned from school. Her baking specialty was kolaches. Ella loved having her family and friends around. She enjoyed working puzzles and playing dominos with them. She was a gentle loving person and will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Ella is survived by: 2 sons, Victor Kocian of Stafford, and Ray Kocian & wife Mary of Cypress; 4 daughters, Dolores Renger & husband Kenneth of Hallettsville, Virginia Gandy & husband Jerry of Athens, Ella Loos & husband Johnny of Shiner, and Beatrice Flanagan & husband Mike of Austin; brother Robert Pilzner & wife Dorothy of Victoria; sister Matilda Schmidt of Yoakum; 13 grandchildren, Karen Meyer, Kenneth Renger Jr., Michael Renger & wife Kimberly, Erica Renger, Brian Kocian & wife Kim, Jennifer Kocian, Tim Kocian & wife Angie, Susan Mushinski & husband Bernard, Tim Gandy & wife Margie, Chris Gandy & wife Laura, Renee Hollenbach & husband Patrick, Michelle Evans & husband Troy, and Michael Flanagan; 19 great-grandchildren, Morgan Meyer, Justin Kocian, Brain Kocian Jr., Adam and Cody Hollenbach, Halle and Brody Kocian, Alexis and Jordan Evans, Brittany Mushinski, Lindsey Mushinski, Christina Gandy, Sharon Gandy, Marla Gandy, James Gandy, Rachel Gandy, Joshua Gandy, Jonathon Gandy, and Jessie Gandy.

Ella was preceded in death by: husband Godfrey on May 29, 2003; parents; son Joseph John Kocian; granddaughter Tiffany Gandy; daughter-in-law Anna Kocian; 6 brothers, Joe, Ed, Benny, Victor, Henry, and Paul Pilzner; and 4 sisters, Emma Boening, Annie Bartles, Hilda Pilzner, and Lillie Palmer Shefield.

Service: 10 am, Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Visitation: 1 pm, Thursday at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosary: 7 pm, Thursday at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiate: Rev. Charles Sonnier. Pallbearers: Kenneth Renger Jr., Michael Renger, Brian Kocian, Tim Kocian, Chris Brady, Time Grady, Michael Flanagan, Troy Evans, and Patrick Hollenbach. Burial: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Yoakum.