Irene Gurka

Irene Emily Konieczny Gurka, 83, of Chappell Hill, widow of Billy Gurka, passed away January 24, 2013 at her residence. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m., Monday, January 28, 2013 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Chappell Hill, with Msg. Benedict Zientek officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A Rosary is scheduled for 6 p.m., Sunday, January 27 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Irene Gurka was born September 22, 1929 in Chappell Hill to Peter and Josephine Murski Konieczny. She was baptized in 1929 in Chappell Hill, and remained a lifelong member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. She attended area schools, and married Billy Gurka on November 13, 1948. After living in Houston for a number of years, they returned to Chappell Hill in 1968, where they made their home. Over the years she was employed at the Cotton Mill, and along with her husband, worked on the family farm. Irene knew no strangers. Everyone knew her as "Grandma". Her greatest treasures were simple ones, such as watching her animals while she sat on her back porch, or riding the golf cart throughout her property. If anyone dared to share a ride with Irene on her golf cart, a seatbelt was a definite necessity! She loved talking with the many folks who came to visit her. The Farmer''s Almanac was her guide for gardening, and she shared its many insights with anyone, whether they asked for advice or not. Irene loved the Country Store, whether it was a call to sell items, to look for items she wanted to buy, or just the sheer joy of listening. Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law Billy Joe and Sherry Gurka of Montgomery, Robert Lee and Debbie Gurka of Santa Fe, and Jerry John and Victoria Gurka of Chappell Hill; daughters and sons-in-law, Margie and Bennie Bolcerek of Brenham, and Diane and Eugene Laskoskie of Chappell Hill, as well as 18 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brother and sister-in-law, Joe Eddie and Irene Konieczny of Chappell Hill, and sisters Barbara Gurka of Chappell Hill, and Evelyn Konieczny and Rose Marie Konieczny, both of Houston. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Gurka, her parents, Pete and Josephine Konieczny, a son, Peter Alexander Gurka, and sisters, Emily Harbor and Natalie Konieczny. Serving as pallbearers are Donna Grimm, Stacey Baker, Vanee Toner, Amy Hohlt, Chasity Gurka, Cori Gurka, Gary Michael Bolcerek, and Robert Wayne Gurka. Honorary pallbearers are Andy Gurka, Jimmy Laskoskie, Josh Gurka, Jodelyn Flisowski, Johno Gurka, Richard Laskoskie, Jeremy Gurka, Kristen Gurka-Anzueto, Courtney Gurka, and Karli Robb. Memorials may be directed to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church of Chappell Hill, or to Hospice Brazos Valley. Funeral arrangements for Irene Emily Gurka are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham, Texas, 77833. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.