Lillie Marie Sitka, 86, of St. Mary's, passed away, Jan. 19, 2016. She was born on Aug. 7, 1929 to Paul & Hedwig Leopold Etzler in Lavaca County, TX. She was a member of St. Mary's Altar Society, Sacred Heart Quilting Circle, and St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Lillie married Leon D. Sitka on Oct. 26, 1949 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. They were blessed with 4 daughters, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.

Lillie attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and Baldwin's Business College. Her first job was with Goedecke's Cotton Firm. In 1970, she was employed by Tex-Tan Welhausen and retired in June 1995. After retirement, she was able to spend more time on things she enjoyed; baking, gardening, and canning. She looked forward to eating with friends at the Senior Citizens Center, playing dominoes, bingo, and joining the quilting ladies.

Lillie was a very dedicated and hard working. She worked full time and still raised a bountiful garden and kept a spotless house. She always looked forward to having the grandchildren come over. Everyone knew Memo would have something good to eat, whether it was a full meal or some of her specialties like chocolate on crackers, homemade rolls, kolaches, chocolate cake or cookies. Lillie possessed many talents. Canning and quilting were two of the many arts she passed on to her daughters. Two of her greatest skills were embroidering and sewing. She spent many nights sewing for her children, herself, and grandchildren.

Lillie was a dedicated and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She always made sure her family was well taken care of with whatever they needed. A Spiritual and Faithful life was very important to Lillie which she instilled in her family. In the most recent years, she was not physically capable to help as she would have liked, but she still took it upon herself to assist by praying for any special needs that anyone had.

Lillie lived at St. Mary's until 2007, where she began residing at Stevens Nursing and Rehab.

Lillie is survived by: 4 daughters, Jo Marie Krupala & husband Eugene, Lois Jurena & husband Mike, Karen Bludau and husband Blackie, & Janice Rother & husband Alan; 2 brothers, Hubert & Arthur Etzler; 2 sisters, Adela Grahmann & Evelyn Ahlgrim; 12 grandchildren, Jason (Laurie) Krupala, Olivia (Jay) Wright, Kendra Krupala, Jared Jurena, Cullen Jurena, Aaron (Rhonda) Bludau, Brooke (Jared) Meinkowsky, Kevin (Melanie) Rother, Keith (Allie) Rother, Kendrick Rother, Kyle Rother, and Kaltlyn Rother; and 12 great grandchildren, David & Cody Krupala, Colton & Mallory Wright, Stormie Janecka, Emily & Blake Bludau; Ben, Luke & Ada Meinkowsky, and Ty & Heidi Rother.

Lillie was preceded in death by: her husband Leon; parents; and 2 sisters, Regina Pagel and Helen Kresta.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Saturday, Jan. 23 2016, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Visitation: 4 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home with Rosary starting at6 pm. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Memorials: St. Mary's Altar Society, Sacred Heart School Athletic or Program Fund, Senior Citizens Center, Sacred Heart Quilting Circle or Donor's Choice. Burial: St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.