Mary Lou Butschek, 80, of Hallettsville, passed away February 21, 2011. Mary was born on August 3, 1930 in Yoakum, to Emma and Ed Shandera. She graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Yoakum. She married John Butschek on May 2, 1949. By example, they showed a great love for God, family, and the value of a strong work ethic to their nine children, 23 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Mary was very active in her community all of her life, serving in the Altar Society, as a member of Catholic Daughters of America, as a Girl Scout leader, and in the Garden Club. She loved sewing, painting, making crafts, was an avid gardener, sang to all of her children when they were growing up, and traveled extensively with her husband. She was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She will be deeply missed.

Mary is survived by: her husband of 61 years, John; and her nine children, Diane Rehmke & husband Fred, Joan Davis & husband Keith, Anthony Butschek, Michael Butschek & wife Ginny, Kenneth Butschek & wife Theresa, Rosemary Vorpahl & husband Doug, David Butschek & Elizabeth Davidson, Richard Butschek, and Kevin Butschek & wife Shelle. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren; Kimra Rehmke Hamilton, Rebecca Rehmke Nusinow, John Davis, Ann Davis Bryan, Laura Beth Butschek, Jared Butschek, Danielle Butschek, Christopher Butschek, Katherine Butschek Osterhus, Kimberly Butschek, Stephanie Butschek, Jenny Vorpahl Cronlund, Amy Vorpahl, Angela Vorpahl, Amanda Vorpahl, Hillary Butschek, Grant Butschek, Coan Butschek, Greyor Butschek, Dawsyn Emily Butschek, Svitlana Butschek, Nikolas Butschek, and Katya Butschek; and two great-grandchildren, Weston Hamilton and Quin Hamilton.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, and three brothers, Ed, John, and Charles Shandera.

Funeral Mass Service: 11 am, Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 3 pm, Thursday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosaries: 7 pm, Thursday, at Kubena Funeral Home; and 10:30 am, Friday, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Officiate: Father Tommy Chen. Pallbearers: Anthony Butschek, Michael Butschek, Kenneth Butschek, David Butschek, Richard Butschek, and Kevin Butschek. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials (in Lieu of Flowers): To the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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