Hanzelka

Joe Hanzelka, age 90 of Weimar, passed into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, on the same family land that he was born on 90 years ago.

The baby of the family, Joe was born on July 2, 1934 to Ed, Sr. and Sophie Knesek Hanzelka. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael Catholic Church in Weimar. Joe was a faithful servant of God and loved the Father and the Blessed Mother immensely. He attended St. Michael Catholic School and is an alumni of Weimar High School. Joe had the most amazing memory and was the keeper of great stories, which he loved to share. He was witty and smart. He loved to read and study history. He was sentimental and valued family memorabilia and treasures of old.

Joe met the prettiest gal, Joyce Fillip, at a mutual friend’s party one evening. From that day on, they were inseparable. Ten months later, on June 2, 1967, the two were united in marriage at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Schulenburg. Joe and Joyce joyfully danced through 57 years of wedded bliss. Together, they enjoyed working the farm, gardening and ranching, making their famous wine, playing with their pups, visiting with neighbors and friends and spending precious time with family, very often over a churning ice cream crock.

Although they never had children of their own, Uncle Joe and Aunt Joyce were blessed with an overflowing handful of nieces and nephews, greats and great-greats. Life lessons were learned by the kids on the Hanzelka Farm. From chopping kindling, butchering the pig, picking eggs & peaches, exploring the cellar, running from the gander and doing a little “water witching”, the Hanzelka nieces and nephews have memories of Uncle Joe that will forever be cherished.

It would be amiss to not mention Joe’s carpentry skills. A carpenter by trade, Joe’s skillful mark has been left on many of the homes and businesses in Weimar and in the surrounding communities. His cabinetry craftsmanship was renowned.

Joe is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Joyce. His nieces and nephews: Jeannette Peterek, Sonny Peterek, Bobby Berger, Buddy Peterek (Diane), Susie Peterek Zepeda (Jay), Frankie Peterek (Gayla), Marvin Peterek, Johnnie Peterek, Darlene Hanzelka Hayek (Jerry Gene), Linda Hanzelka Stancik (Ronnie), Edward Hanzelka, Cynthia Zapalac Montgomery, Dale Zapalac (Barbara) and Chad Zapalac, as well as numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed, Sr. and Sophie Knesek Hanzelka, his father and mother-in-law, Louis and Mary Fillip, five siblings and their spouses, Christina and Albert Peterek, Edna and Emil Krizak, Mary and Ernest Peterek, Sophie and Erwin Zapalac and Ed and Irene Hanzelka and one brother-in-law, Lewis Fillip. Also preceding him in death were nieces, Mary Peterek Vern, Donna Peterek, Judith Ann Krizak Berger and Becky Zapalac, nephews, Darren Zapalac and Larry Peterek and great nephew, Mark Vern.

Visitation was held on Friday, May 9, 2025 beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church in Weimar, followed by the Parish Rosary at 10:30 a.m.

A Funeral Mass followed at 11 a.m. with Father Anthony Weick officiating and Monsignor John Carl Peters assisting. Burial took place in St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Houston Heger, Carson Peterek, Johnnie Peterek, Chad Zapalac, Josh Zapalac and Jay Zepeda.

Honorary Pallbearers were David Hassel, Doctor Donald Kocurek, William Michalke, Carl Penland, Gordon Richter, Frank Sinz and Emil Thomas.

Memorials may be given to St. Michael Catholic Church, P.O. Box 36, Weimar, Texas 78962 or Hospice of South Texas, 306 North Texana, Hallettsville, Texas 77964.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.

Funeral arrantements have been entrusted to Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus.