Ernest Jaska

Ernest H. "Bobo" Jaska, age 76, of West, passed away early Saturday morning, October 1, 2005 at his son's residence in Austin. A rosary will be recited 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 7, 2005 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:15 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Ed Karasek, Msgr. Isidore Rozycki, and Rev. Vincent Chacko celebrating. Military Graveside Rites will follow at Fatima Cemetery near Abbott, conducted by West V.F.W. Post No. 4819. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Mr. Jaska was born January 12, 1929 near West, the son of Joseph C. and Anastazia (Hejl) Jaska. He attended schools in Ross and West before graduating from West High School in 1946. Bobo then went on to attend Texas A&M University, where he was active in the Corp of Cadets and graduated with a degree in Agriculture Engineering in 1951. He then became Company Commander at Ft. Deven's, Mass. Bobo served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and received a Bronze Star before being discharge in 1953. On December 26, 1951 he was united in marriage to Virginia Clara Muehlstein in Abbott. While raising a family Bobo and Virginia lived in several places including Sherman, Muenster, Robinson, and Crockett before returning to West in 1990. Bobo was a sales consultant and agriculture manager for Texas Power and Light Co. for 34 years before retiring in 1987. Virginia preceded him in death on April 24, 1999. He then married Judith Grandjean Lynn on November 17, 2001. He was a very faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. Being a very active and civic minded person, Bobo was a member of many organizations including the Czech Heritage Society, McLennan County Farm and Ranch Club, Texas Society of Agronomy, Houston County Coop, Red River Valley Country Club and Industrial Foundation, and the Msgr. George Doskocil Assembly of 4th degree Knights of Columbus. While in Muenster he was very instrumental in bringing several industries to the city including, the Association of Milk Producers, Inc. and Valenite Cutting Tools. He also received the honor of being voted Man of the Year by the Muenster Chamber of Commerce. Bobo received a similar honor while in Crockett, being voted Outstanding Businessman by their Chamber of Commerce. And in 1981 he and Virginia were voted Aggie Parent's of the Year by Texas A&M University. His parents; three brothers, John Jaska, Edward Jaska, and Robert C. Jaska; and three sisters, Agnes Lednicky, Bessie Hlavaty, and Mary King; also preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Judy Jaska of West; five sons, Michael E. Jaska and wife Linda of College Station, Mark J. Jaska and wife Lucy of Modesto, Calif., Matthew G. Jaska and wife Gretchen of Austin, Christopher S. Jaska and wife Lisa of Lorena, and David C. Jaska and wife Carolyn of College Station; three daughters, Rebecca A. Crowley and husband David of Anna, Bridget D. Krahula and husband James of Pflugerville, and Alexandra M. Wetterman and husband William Jr. of McKinney; a brother, Louis B. Jaska of Ross; a sister, Stasie Janek of West; 21 grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Active pallbearers are Paul Jaska, Michael Jaska, Robert Jaska, John Jaska, Jake Jaska, William G. Wetterman III, Christopher Wetterman, and Brett Hudson. Honorary pallbearers are Jack Jaska and Jason Jaska. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McLennan County Czech Heritage Society Scholarship Fund or St. Mary's School Endowment Fund.