Joyce Elizabeth Bucek, 85, of Hallettsville, passed away Dec. 28, 2016. She was born on Nov. 5, 1931 to William J. & Elizabeth Ripple Drozd in San Antonio, TX. She graduated from Brenham High School and attended Blinn Junior College, where she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa national honorary fraternity.

While attending Blinn College, she met the love of her life, Jimmy Bucek. They married in 1952 in San Antonio, and celebrated over 64 years of marriage. They lived in Fort Worth, TX for over 40 years and attended the Holy Name Catholic Church.

Joyce was mostly a stay at home mother, but also worked at several different jobs over the years while raising their 5 sons. Joyce and Jimmy retired in Hallettsville in 2006.

Joyce loved the outdoors. She especially enjoyed fishing, the beauty of plants and flowers, watching hummingbirds, and a great love for animals. She was a great cook and baker, her homemade cinnamon rolls were the favorite to everyone.

Joyce is survived by: husband Jimmy; 5 sons, Gary Bucek & wife Theresa, Paul Bucek & wife Julie, John Bucek, Mark Bucek & wife Julie, and Eric Bucek; 9 grandchildren, Zach, Ryan, Shannon, Jonathan, Kathleen, Raven, Macy, Molly and Phillip Bucek; 5 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and beloved extended family and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by; her parents and brother Billy Drozd.

Funeral Mass Service: 1 pm, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 5 pm, Sunday, at Kubena Funeral Home with Rosary at 6 pm. Pallbearers: Gary, Phillip, Ryan, Alan, Jonathan, Brnsen and Eric Bucek. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Memorials: Donor's Choice. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.