Frances Steffek Jurena, 89, of Koerth, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 16, 2014. She was born on June 10, 1924 to the late Anton & Antonia Pavliska Steffek, Sr. near Hallettsville, in Lavaca County, Texas. She is a 2nd generation American. Her paternal grandparents, lgnac & Johana Jabensky Steffek immigrated to Texas in 1870 from Frenstat, Moravia, Czech Republic, and her maternal grandparents, Tom & Mary Muzik Skyvara Pavliska immigrated to Texas in 1893 from Celadna, Moravia, Czech Republic. She married Frankie A. Jurena on June 25, 1946 in Hallettsville, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church by Monsignor Alois Morkovsky.

Frances was a very devout Catholic who loved her family, enjoyed gardening and flowers in her yard. She was also very interested in genealogy, and was a great cook.

Frances is survived by: her 6 children, Margaret Leake & husband Sid of Sugar Land, Dan Jurena of Houston, Jerry Jurena & wife Vivian of Sugar Land, Sylvia Martin & husband Kenneth of Victoria, Joyce Jurena Hager of Victoria, and Robert Jurena & wife Roberta of Hallettsville; 9 grandchildren & 6 great-grandchildren, Leslye Martin Franz & husband Galen and Kate & Claire, Jessica Appelt Vanzant & husband Tim and Ellison & Reid, Kelly Martin Beatty & husband Lance, Ashley Martin Zacharias & husband Timmy, Clinton Martin & wife Stephanie, Erin Martin Stimpson & husband Jerod and Natalie, Kristy Jurena Turner & husband Dustin and Colton, Kimberly Jurena Morris & husband Brenden, and Brett Hager; one brother, Johnnie Steffek & wife Alene of Hallettsville; and 3 sister-in-laws, Mary Zrabensky Steffek of Hallettsville, Beatrice Jurena Steffek of Edna and Emily Jurena Franz of Floresville.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Frankie; parents Anton & Antonia Steffek, Sr., son-in-law Mark Hager, brother Anton Steffek, Jr., sisters Annie Steffek Hessler, Janie Steffek Hermes, Mary Steffek Stary.

The family wishes to thank all the caretakers at the Hallettsville Rehab & Nursing Center, Victoria Twin Pines Nursing Center and Hospice of South Texas.

Funeral Mass Service: 10:30 am, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Koerth. Officiant: Rev. Charles Sonnier.
Visitation: 4 pm, Tuesday, at Kubena Funeral Home.
Family Rosary: 7 pm, Tuesday, at Kubena Funeral Home.
Pallbearers (Grandsons): Brett Hager, Clinton Martin, Galen Franz, Timmy Zacharias, Dustin Turner, Jerod Stimpson and Lance Beatty.
Honorary Pallbearers: Godchildren, Bernice Marek, Maurice Jurena, Darryl, David, Donnie, Dale and Ricky Steffek and Wendy Agee; Grandsons, Tim Vanzant and Brenden Morris.
Memorials: Cistercian Abbey (Masses) or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Burial: St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.