Joan Holecek

Joan Holecek, age 76, of West, passed away early Saturday morning, September 8, 2012 at West Rest Haven in West. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10:00 a.m. Tuesday 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. Monday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West. Mrs. Holecek was born October 10, 1935 in West, the daughter of Arnold and Louise (Hykel) Hajek. She attended Abbott schools and graduated from Abbott High School in 1952. On November 3, 1956 she was united in marriage to Ernest J. Holecek in Abbott. Joan was a homemaker and work in the cafeteria at Ridgewood Country Club in Waco for over 15 years Montgomery Ward and St. Louis Catholic School Cafeteria. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. Joan was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4819 Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening, yard work, listening to country and western and Czech music, and spending time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, William Hajek, Ray Hajek, Albin Hajek, Arnold Hajek and Jody Hajek; and a sister, Florence Pustejovsky. Survivors include her beloved husband of 55 years, Ernest J. Holecek Sr. of West; two sons, E.J. Holecek Jr. and wife Susie of West and Joseph Holecek "Gogie" and wife Lanetta of Elm Mott; a daughter, Anna Jo Bettge and husband Raymond of West; a sister Anna Louise Kaska; six grandchildren, Rachel Croll and husband Daniel, Jeremy Bettge and wife Melissa, Troy Bettge, Heather Holecek, Steven Hennig, and Candy Garcia; five great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Richard Kaska, Anthony Hajek, Ronnie Osborn, Charles Hajek and Ralph Pustejovsky. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Cemetery.