Rosie Joyce DeBord Klimitchek of Ezzell, Texas, age 88, passed away on April 11, 2024.  She was born a twin on April 14, 1935, to the late Louis E. and Anita Dawlearn DeBord in Ezzell, Texas.  She married Richard C. Klimitchek, Sr. on June 28, 1955, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Koerth, Texas.  They were blessed with 56 years of marriage before he passed in 2011.

Joyce attended Terry and Salem Schools, graduated from Yoakum High School in 1953, and received an Associate Degree in Business from Victoria College in 1955.  She was employed as a substitute teacher before starting her family and for a short time in retail at Gindler's Department Store in Hallettsville.  Her most important titles, though, were loving wife to Richard, Mama to her six children and Granny to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She lived a busy farm life of gardening, canning, tending to the chickens and other farm animals, hunting and fishing to provide for the family and dropping everything to ride along with Richard to be his "gate opener" and assistant while tending to the cattle.  Somehow, she still found time to treat her family with her wonderful cooking and special homemade clothing and blankets, and she managed to teach and pass these skills on to the next generations.

Joyce was a devout Catholic and a faithful servant to her church family, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.  She served on the Altar Society and the Church Picnic Committee, chairing the auction for many years.  She also was a member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers and a 25-plus year member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas.  As an active member of the Ezzell and Hallettsville communities, she held officer positions with the Ezzell PTO, served as an election volunteer for the local precinct, and served 6 years with the Lavaca County Central Appraisal District Review Board.  She was a member of the American Cancer Society for over 20 years, serving as President of the Hallettsville Unit from 1982-1989 and 1992-2003.  As a cancer survivor herself, she was drawn to assist others by transporting patients to and from treatments for many years.  She honored her veteran husband by serving as a member of the American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries.

Joyce is survived by:  her children, Joycelyn Kozelsky (Louis) of Edna, Carolyn Ebert (David) of Pasadena, Richard Klimitchek Jr. (Sheila) of Hallettsville, Linda Van Sant (Gary) of Waller and Sharon Bitter (David) of Double Oak; eleven grandchildren, Kristin Kozelsky  Marek (David), Skipper Kozelsky, Andrea Ebert Jones (Justin), Victoria Ebert Jefferson (Matthew), Alyson Klimitchek Grahmann (Stephen), Amy Klimitchek Marcak (Drew), Adrienne Klimitchek, CPO Joshua D. Van Sant (Coreysha), Jacob Van Sant, Kelsey Bitter Brewer (Jonathan) and Blake Bitter; nine great-grandchildren, Jacklynn and Bradley Marek, Layla Jones, Alexander and Nicholas Jefferson, Aubrey and Warren Marcak, Clarke Van Sant and Ryan Brewer; brother Tony DeBord (Jeanette); sister-in-law Evelyn DeBord (Maurice); and numerous nieces & nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by:  her loving husband Richard; son Frankie Klimitchek; her parents; and 3 brothers, Joseph Alton, Maurice (her twin) and Eugene & wife Mary Ann DeBord.

The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the staff of Hospice of South Texas Dornburg Center of Compassion in Victoria and the staff of Stevens Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Hallettsville.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Monday, April 15, 2024, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Koerth. Visitation: starting at 5 pm Sunday, with Rosary starting at 6 pm at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiant: Rev. Dominic Antwi-Boasiako. Pallbearers: Grandsons, Skipper Kozelsky, Blake Bitter, and Jacob Van Sant; Godsons, David DeBord, Travis Klimitchek, and Kenneth Klimitchek. Memorials: St John the Baptist Family Life Center (Currently under construction next to the Church.) St. John the Baptist Church "Capital Campaign", P.O. Box 201, Sweet Home, TX 77987.  Burial:  Koerth Catholic Cemetery.