Viola (Mrs. Alfred A) Chovanetz, "Dodie", 94, passed away on Monday morning 4/28/08 at her home in Hallettsville, Texas in the presence of her children and family. Viola or "Dodie", as she is known by her immediate family and friends, was a hard working rancher and mother of 7 children.

She was born and lived in Lavaca County in the Breslau area and grew up there in the pioneering days. She went to grade school till the 8th grade at Radhost school near Breslau walking or riding a horse, and made a drive by appearance at it's reunion held just last week. She grew up amongst 8 brothers and sisters. While still home she helped raise her siblings and worked on the farm to support her German ancestry born parents and family. This meant toiling hard at raising cattle, picking cotton, raising corn, butchering home raised livestock, and a vast garden. Gardening stayed part of her life until just 4 or 5 years ago when she was 90 years old. Anytime visitors came, they had to stay and eat deserts, drink coffee, and were sent home with a bag of fresh garden vegetables, or home canned goods. Cooking also stayed in her life by having all the family together at every seasonal holiday and family event. Viola also stayed in ranching, and raised and sold cattle even to this day. Viola married Alfred August Chovanetz , who owned and operated Alfred's Produce & Feed Store, on 10/25/38. And he passed some 28 years ago.

Viola was a very strong and independent spirit. A few years ago she insisted on pulling a trailer full of square bales from Bila Hora to her barn at the Rother estate. Well, her reflexes were a little slow and when she came to a corner on the gravel road she couldn't slow the load down fast enough and lost control and hit a tree. Every since, it has been called the "Ollie tree" One of her and her sister Helen's favorite past time, was to get some pevo and drive to the cow pastures they both still had, and check the cows. And since she grew up in the horse and buggy days, and no trip was a short one, she always insisted on taking something to drink and eat wherever she went.

She is preceded in death by her parents- Louis and Mary (Stanzel) Rother. Brother: Charles (Buddy) Rother, infant brother: Alois Anton Rother. Sisters: Helen Grafe, Mildred (Mickey) Polk, and Joyce (Mrs. Alphonse) Wagner. Also was preceded in death by her husband- Alfred August Chovanetz, daughter- Marilyn Chovanetz, and daughter-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Chovanetz. Also was preceded by brothers-in-law: Alvin Polk, James Baros, Alphonse Wagner, Edwin Chovanetz, Fred Chovanetz, and Joe Grahmann. She is also preceded by sisters-in-law: Annabelle Chovanetz, Lilly Grahmann.

She is survived by sons: Franklin Charles (of Houston), Alfred Clint (and wife Marilyn), Dennis Louis (and wife B.J.), and Thomas Mark "Pete" Chovanetz of Hallettsville. She is also survived by daughters: Mary Sue Brzozowski (and husband Billy) of Sweet Home, Texas, and Francine Carol Couch (and husband Jimmy) of Hallettsville. Granny Chovanetz is also survived by 19 Grandchildren, and 15 Great Grandchildren. She is survived by brothers: Weldon Rother (and wife- Marcelle) of Victoria, Texas, Daniel Rother (and wife Dorothy) of Hallettsville, Texas. Also, by a sister: Estelle (Mrs. James) Baros of San Antonio, and sister-in-law: Grace (Mrs. Charles) Rother. Also by sisters-in-law: Leona Chovanetz and Evelyn Pavliska of Hallettsville, Texas.

Her children and family wish to thank all who helped in her time of illness, including the Helping Hearts Sitter Service (especially Sandy, Mrs. Bedford, Carol Armstrong, Pam), and all of those at Hospice of South Texas (especially Pam, April, and Mrs. McCord), Father John and Mr. Svab and the Deacons who brought her communion at home on a regular basis and everyone who dropped in to wish her well.

Eingeschlafen mit den Engelns!

Service: 10 am, Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation: 3 pm, Tuesday at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosaries: 7 pm, Tuesday at Kubena Funeral Home; and 9:30 am, Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Officiate: Rev. John Peters. Pallbearers: Scott Bradberry, Seth Machicek, Eric Chovanetz, Randall Chovanetz, Chad Chovanetz, Dustin Couch, Cody Couch, and Dale Muehlstein. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials: Hospice of South Texas, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, or Donor's Choice.