Janie Lena (Kana) Kristynik, 90 of Garwood, passed away on March 30, 2024. She was born on June 22, 1933, at Swiss Alp in Fayette County to Emil and Ella (Barta) Kana. The family moved to the Kana homestead near Hostyn when Janie was one-year-old. She attended Radhost School.
Janie married the love of her life, Bernard Joseph Kristynik, on Aug. 25, 1952, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn. The couple moved to Garwood in 1954. Throughout her career, she worked for Perry Brothers, Hopkins Rice Sales Office, Blue Goose Restaurant, and Rice Consolidated ISD as a classroom paraprofessional. She retired from RCISD in May 2001 after 14 years of educational service.
Janie was a devoted parishioner of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Nada and a member of the Nada Catholic Daughters, Nada Christian Mothers Society, and the Nada/Garwood Gadabouts EE Club. In her free time, she enjoyed researching genealogy and documenting her family’s rich Czech heritage. She also loved putting together beautiful photo albums containing multiple generations of family members. She always looked forward to attending Kana Reunion gatherings with her family.
Janie is survived by her two sons, Alan Kristynik and wife Lisa of Victoria, and Ricky Kristynik and wife Sharon of Rosenberg; grandchildren Kyle Kristynik and wife Janice, Ryan Kristynik and wife Nicole, Hilary Gohmert and husband Christopher, and Hannah Kristynik and fiancé Brian Bennett; great-grandchildren Emily, Aubrey, and Noah Kristynik and James Gohmert; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
The family gratefully thanks the staff of Tru-Care Living Center in Columbus, Texas for the special care given to Janie.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Kristynik; parents, Emil and Ella (Barta) Kana; sister, Rita, and brother-in-law, James Brossmann; brother, Emil, and sister-in-law, Diana Kana; and grandson Joshua Alyn Kristynik.
Visitation was held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Nada, with a Rosary being recited at 9:30 am. The Funeral Mass followed at 10 a.m. with Rev. Greg Korenek and Rev. Peter Yeboah-Amanfo officiating. Interment followed at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Hostyn at 3 p.m.
Pallbearers were Kyle Kristynik, Ryan Kristynik, Christopher Gohmert, Brian Bennett, Scott Brossmann and Darren Redding. Honorary pallbearers are Hattie Kristynik, Stephen Kana, Scott Bartos, Tony Brown, Steve Miller, Stanley Kristynik and great-grandchildren, Emily, Aubrey and Noah Kristynik and James Gohmert.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations in memory of Janie may be made to Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Nada, Garwood Veterans Memorial Library or Garwood Volunteer Fire Department.
Memories and condolences may be left for the family online at www.triskafuneralhome. com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Triska Funeral Home in El Campo.
