Eleanor Vrba

Mrs. Jerry (Eleanor) Vrba, age 91, of West formerly of Corpus Christi, passed away early Wednesday morning, October 31, 2007 at her residence. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption with Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Eleanor was born April 12, 1916 the daughter of Benjamin and Emilie (Gray) Vanzura, in West. She attended St. Mary's School and was a graduate of West High School 'Class of 1933'. On June 17, 1935 she was united in marriage to Jerry Vrba in West. After operating West Service Station for several years, Jerry was drafted into the Navy during World War II and the couple relocated to Corpus Christi. There they started both a business (Vrba's Garage) and their family. The couple celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in June of 1985, Shortly thereafter, Jerry passed away on December 8, 1986. In 1988, Eleanor moved back to her hometown of West. While living in Corpus, the Vrba's were members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and St. Theresa's Catholic Church, where Eleanor was very active in helping the nuns at both parishes. Presently, Eleanor was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America Court No. 246 and the Czech Club, both in Corpus. In West she enjoyed volunteering at West Community Hospital, where she very much enjoyed being a "pink lady". Her parents and all three of her brothers, Henry, Ben & Albert Vanzura, also preceded her in death. Survivors include two sons, Richard Vrba and wife Maralyn of Austin and Gary Vrba and wife Katherine of West; one daughter, Mary Elaine Horton and husband John of Spring; six grandchildren, Jerry Vrba and wife Kristen, Kevin Vrba, Jessica Dudik and husband Ricky, Ryan Vrba, Robert Horton, and Christine Bally and husband Daniel; three great grandchildren, Noah and Grace Vrba, and Dylan Dudik; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many life-long friends. Pallbearers are Jerry Vrba, Kevin Vrba, Ryan Vrba, Ricky Dudik, Robert Horton, and Ted Uptmore. Eleanor was truly a beautiful woman, both inside and out. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and a wonderful mother-in-law. "Now it's your turn to be my angel".