Evelyn Girard Bezdek

Evelyn (Girard) Bezdek, age 83, of West, passed away late Wednesday afternoon, May 13, 2015 at Providence Hospice Place in Waco. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Monday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Paul Hudson, Msgr. Isidore Rozycki and Rev. Ed Karasek as celebrants. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Evelyn was born July 15, 1931 in Abbott, the daughter of Joseph J. and Mary (Adam) Girard. She attended schools in West and received an Activities Director Degree at McLennan Community College. On October 18, 1949 she was united in marriage to Ernest L. Bezdek in West. Evelyn was the Activity Director for West Rest Haven for 20 years before retiring in 1996. She also served as their director of volunteers. Evelyn was a consultant for Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in West and Lake Whitney Medical Center in Whitney. She was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. Evelyn was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America Court #829, KJZT St. Ludmilla Society #11, KJT Society #31, SPJST Lodge #6 in Cottonwood and the State Organization for Activity Directors. She was a former president of the West Community Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and former secretary/treasurer of the Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post #4819 Ladies Auxiliary. Evelyn enjoyed shopping, going on casino trips to Oklahoma and Louisiana, traveling, cooking and being a hostess during the holidays. She especially loved bringing grandchildren to her house and spoiling and spending time with them. Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ed Girard, Joseph Girard Jr., Jim Girard, Woodrow Girard and Ernest Girard; and sisters, Albina Mikeska and Willie Mae Miller. Survivors include her beloved husband of 65 years, Ernest L. Bezdek Sr. of West; a son, Ernest "Sonny" Bezdek Jr. and wife Renee of Humble; daughters, Dolores Prince of Austin and Lisa Pavelka and husband Mark of West; grandchildren, Ken Prince and wife Sarah, Kimberly Bezdek, Brittany Polasek and husband David, Amber Pavelka and Crystal Pavelka; great grandchildren, Avery and Makayla; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Richard Mikeska, Tommy Miller, Anthony Girard, Ronnie Girard, Douglas Girard, David Girard, Ken Prince, Charlie Nemec, Ernest Konvicka Jr., and Tommy Muska. Honorary pallbearers are members of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's School Endowment Fund of St. Mary's Church Building Fund. The family would like to offer heartfelt thanks to Providence Hospice employees, Jennie Price, Samantha Haberle, Angela Garner, Tracy Stewart, Flo Morris, Judy Woodland, Katrina Saucida, Leah Outlaw, Dr. Michael Jahrmarkt, Dr. Nicholas Schwedock and Dr. Clint McHenry; and Dr. Russell Ward and Dr. Courtney Yau of Scott & White Hospital in Temple.