Kitchen

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Carol Jurajda Kitchen of Austin, at the age of 89.

Carol was born in La Grange, to Adolph and Rose Jurajda on Sept. 25, 1936. Carol initially started school at Fayetteville Elementary, only speaking the Czech language, and eventually graduated from La Grange High School in 1955. After graduation, she purchased a Simca German car (to the dismay of her father) with a loan from the bank and without a driver’s license. She then moved to the Heights in Houston where she attended Massey Business College. Afterwards, she worked for Houston Natural Gas for 11 years and oversaw the PBX telephone system. She was always 10 minutes late and had a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup every day for breakfast.

While in Houston, Carol met her future husband Lester at a club where Lester asked the girl next to Carol to dance but instead, Carol immediately stood up from the table and said, “yes!” They eventually married in Wichita Falls on their way to Aurora, Colo., where Lester was stationed in the Air Force. Brian was born in Aurora, but it was too cold for their liking, so they decided to move back to Texas to settle in Austin. Lester began his Optometry practice and shortly afterwards, Elizabeth was born.

Carol loved everything Czech, especially genealogy, and she traveled to the Czech Republic several times for research. She cherished returning to Fayetteville and La Grange, maintaining memories and friendships. It was also well known that Carol was a notorious night owl spending her nights enjoying old movies and Westerns. Additionally, she was a mega Elvis fan, to say the least. She had many stories of following Elvis’ performances in Fayette County before he became popular, and even had a picture taken with him and her best friend Ethel.

Her special ways of giving advice and tips to a better life were highly appreciated by many.

Carol belonged to the KJZT Society, the Texas State Historical Association, and was a huge supporter of the Czech Heritage Society of La Grange. Previously, she and Lester were members of the La Grange dance club as well as Volunteers for Vision of Austin.

Carol is predeceased by her husband Lester; her grandfather and grandmother, Jan and Anna Jurajda of Ellinger; her grandfather and grandmother, Rudolph and Claudia Kubena of Fayetteville; her father and mother, Adolph and Rose Jurajda of La Grange; her sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Neil Hart of Katy; and brother-in-law, Edsel Morrow of Katy.

She is survived by her loving and devoted son, Brian Kitchen and his wife Peaches; daughter, Elizabeth Dina; grandsons, Nick and Cameron Dina; granddaughter, Hilary Chapa and her husband Steve; sister, Bea Heitmann and her family; sister-in-law, Linda Fogle and her family; stepson, Kris Sullivan and his wife Melinda and their children Kyle and Rose.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 5-7 p.m. at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin.

A Funeral Service will be held Friday, Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 207 E. Bell St., Fayetteville. Afterwards, the graveside service will be at La Grange Cemetery, 100198 N. College St., La Grange, with the reception to follow at the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center at 250 West Fairgrounds Rd., La Grange.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center, 250 West Fairgrounds Rd., La Grange, Tx. 78945, www.czechtexas.org.