Prihoda

Irene Frances Prihoda passed away peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 9, 2025 in Schulenburg.

Irene was born on July 17, 1946 to Gilbert Jochen and Thelma (Schmedt) Jochen in Schulenberg. She graduated from Schulenburg High School in 1964.

Growing up, Irene worked tirelessly on the family farm in the Swiss Alp/Freyburg area. After graduation, she started working as a bookkeeper at Herder Truck Lines and later became a secretary to the president and chief financial officer. During this time, she met a fellow office-worker named Bill Prihoda who became the love of her life. They married on April 15, 1967 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Plum and settled in Weimar to start a long, happy, and full life.

Irene was blessed with three sons, David Anthony, Warren Matthew, and Stephen Dwayne – her pride and joy. She was a full-time stayat- home mom until Stephen went to school and then accepted employment with Hill Bank and Trust Co. in Weimar for over 30 years where she advanced from Bookkeeper to Senior Vice-President & Cashier. After retiring, she took a part-time position at the Weimar Public Library.

She enjoyed crocheting, crafting, playing the piano, gardening, reading her wellworn Bible, and camping. She proudly attended countless baseball games to watch Bill, Warren, and Stephen compete as well as many of their academic and FFA events. She later watched her grandchildren on the basketball court. Her favorite times were laughing & talking with her family – nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters-in-law, extended family, and her grandchildren – Tyler, Christopher, Kaitlyn, and Cole.

Irene was very active in her community and church. She served as a church council member, lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Michael Catholic Church. She was a charter member and past president of the Weimar Encore Lions club, chaired the St. Michael Harvest Feast and Spring Festival finance committees, and served as the Salvation Army treasurer.

Irene is preceded in death by her infant son, David Prihoda; her parents, Gilbert and Thelma Jochen, and brothersin- law, James Prihoda and Johnny Prihoda.

She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Prihoda of Weimar; sons, Warren Prihoda and wife Christine of The Woodlands, and Stephen Prihoda and wife Krystal of Jersey Village; grandchildren, Tyler Prihoda, Christopher Prihoda, Kaitlyn Prihoda, and Cole Prihoda; brother, Conrad Jochen and wife Shirley of Fulshear; brothers and sisters- in-law, Carolyn Prihoda of High Hill, Joan Prihoda of Weimar, Raymond and Sherry Prihoda of Weimar, and Dorothy and Leslie Bacak of El Campo.

A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus followed by a parish Prayer Service and Rosary at 6 p.m.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Weimar with Father Luke Prihoda officiating. Burial will follow at St. Michael Catholic Church Mausoleum.

Serving as pallbearers are Cole Prihoda, Bryan Jochen, Mark Jochen, Josh Prihoda, Mark Prihoda, and Carl Prihoda.

Honorary pallbearers are Kaitlyn Prihoda, Bradley Prihoda, Michele Prihoda, and Sandy Kunschick.

Memorials may be made to St. Michael Catholic Church or St. Michael Catholic School, P.O. Box 36, Weimar, TX 78962, Diocese of Victoria Seminary Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 4070, Victoria TX 77903, Swiss Alp United Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2038 FM-3171, Schulenburg, TX 78956, or the charity of your choice.

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

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