Viola Lillie Kubenka Strauss, 94, of Hallettsville, went to be with her Lord Saturday, February 28, 2015, with her granddaughter Shanna by her side.

Viola was the eldest child born to William Henry and Rosie Janie (Steinocher) Kubenka in Lavaca County, Witting area, on November 5, 1920. She attended a little country school in the Breslau Community; as she grew older she worked at Kubenka Gin, that was owned and operated by her father, William Kubenka. She met the love of her life, Leo Joseph (Bubba) Strauss and upon his return from service in the Navy during World War II they married October 9, 1941. Her life was dedicated to her husband and family and especially to caring for her only daughter, Rose.

When her grandchildren were born, she was always there helping us care for the new little additions to the family, being more and more proud with each birth. She enjoyed Sunday afternoon drives in the countryside with her sons, where she grew up remembering the times of her youth and early marriage; she would go on vacations with her sons and families to Rockport and Port Aransas each year making sure she had a view of the water so she could sit out on the balcony and enjoy the beach air. She loved vacation trips to Branson, Missouri; Cousheutta, Louisiana and Disneyland in Florida. She took a trip to the New England States with her sisters, and they were proudly known as "The three sisters". She would attend every little league game of her grandchildren and even a few of her great-grandsons. She was a fantastic mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. If you ever needed anything she was always there for you. She was the greatest Astros fan ever, (besides her grandson, Aaron) sometimes going to Donnie's house to watch the game with them. An avid Christian attending Church and praying the Rosary for all of our needs and thanksgivings; she was the faith foundation for her entire family.

Viola dedicated her life to her family, especially in the care of her husband and their daughter, "little Rose Marie".   She was a member of VFW Ladies Auxiliary, KJZT, Sacred Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters of America, receiving her 60 year pin in 2009.

Viola is survived by: two sons, Carl Anthony (Janice) of Kingwood and Donald Leo (Joyce) of Cuero; one daughter, Rose Marie of Hallettsville; five grandchildren, Shanna Beth Strauss of Hallettsville; Aaron Joseph Strauss (Sarah), Troy Alan Strauss (Elizabeth), Jana Elizabeth Schmidt, (Brandon) and Amy Lynn Guarnieri (Stephen) all of Houston; five great-grandchildren, Dustin Anthony Bujnoch, Cameron Joseph Bujnoch, Sebastian Jama'l Simmons, Kevin Leo Strauss and Danica Jane Strauss; one sister, Lorraine Rehm; sister-in-law, Mary Dean Kubenka; brother-in-law, Robert Pesek; and many nieces and nephews.

Viola was preceded in death by: her parents, William and Rosie Kubenka; husband, Leo Joseph (Bubba) Strauss; sister, Ethlyne Zappe; brother, William Kubenka; sisters-in-law, Molly Pesek and Annette Novak; brothers-in-law, Otto Zappe, Edmund Rehm and Joe Novak; and one nephew, Robert Rehm.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Thursday, March 5, 2015, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Wednesday, at Kubena Funeral Home; with a Rosary at 7 pm. Pallbearers: Aaron Strauss, Troy Strauss, Dustin Bujnoch, Cameron Bujnoch, Grady Kubenka and Jeff Trlicek. Honorary Pallbearers: Sebastian Simmons and Kevin Strauss. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Memorials: Sacred Heart Church or Donor's Choice. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.