Irene Kotrla

Irene Kotrla, age 90, of West, passed away Wednesday afternoon, December 26, 2007 at Regent Care Center in Waco. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, 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. on Friday at the funeral home. Mrs. Kotrla was born on November 28, 1917 in West, the daughter of Frank and Ida (Barta) Matustik. She attended St. Mary's School in West. On November 23, 1937 she was united in marriage to Arnold Charles Kotrla in West. He preceded her in death on October 2, 1967. She was a sales representative for Dietz Memorial Company in Waco and St. Mary's Cemetery in West for over 40 years until her recent illness. Irene was an avid bingo player and loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers, and having coffee every morning at the Olde Czech Bakery with her friends and catching up on the latest news. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, Catholic Daughters of America Court No. 829, K.J.Z.T. Society No. 11, St. Anne's Altar Society, and the 42 Domino Club. Her parents; a daughter, Veronica Kotrla; two brothers, Rev. Frank Matustik and Ernest Matustik; and two sisters, Ida Karlik and Mary Frances Matustik also preceded Irene in death. Survivors include one daughter, Dorothy Kucera and husband Jerry of West; two brothers, Harry Matustik and wife Clara Jean and Joe Matustik and wife Frankie, all of Waco; five grandchildren, Jerry Kucera Jr., Paul Kucera and fiance Loretta, and Steve Kucera and wife Stephanie, all of West, Monica Ferguson and husband Dan of Waco, and Angela Thompson and husband Tony of North Richland Hills; twelve great-grandchildren, Holly, Matt, Kayla, Kami, Jackson, Nicholas, Trey, Tina, Jamie, Justin, Brandi, and Allen; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Pallbearers will be Steven Kucera, Paul Kucera, Tony Thompson, Dan Ferguson, Carlton Karlik, David Matustik, Mike Matustik, and Bernard Hlavaty, Jr. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Parish Center.