Tanecka

Joseph John Tanecka was born on June 29, 1933 in Kirtley to John and Wilma Krenek Tanecka. He went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Oct. 30, 2025 at 5:36 a.m. at his home with his wife Rose Marie Tanecka at Buchanan Dam.

He was the eldest of three children; sister Lyndelle Tanecka Harbers, Bastrop; and Marvin Martin Tanecka, of Columbus.

Joseph graduated from La Grange High School in 1952 and went on to Victoria Junior College on a track scholarship and then on to SMU also on a track scholarship. After college, he went to work for the Texas State Highway Department in Columbus, where he met the love of his life; Rose Marie Chovanec. They were married Sept. 24, 1955 at Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Plum.

Our Lord blessed them with three children, a grandson and two great grandchildren. His children are Mary Jolene McCord married to James McCord for 27 years of Lampasas; Janice Marie Tanecka of Buchanan Dam and Michael Joseph Tanecka, who is deceased. His grandson is Joseph William Hardy of China Springs, married to Diane Hardy and their children are Madison Rene Hardy and Lincoln Michael Hardy.

Soon after they married, Joe and Rose were headed to the big city of Houston, Texas for better employment. Joe went to work for Crown Central Petroleum and was employed there for 32 years. Later they made the choice to move to the hill country of Texas and they purchased and operated a Sears catalog store for six years.

After six years, the opportunity presented itself to become self-employed with Rose doing design work and they became known as Bluebonnet Rose Original fashion designers. Joseph totally supported Rose in this endeavor as they traveled all over the United States holding shows at juried art shows and large rodeos such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Las Vegas Show and Rodeo.

Joseph loved the outdoors. He led his family into loving everything that was outdoors from camping, to RVing, hunting and fishing and to love and respect wildlife. After Joe retired his love for gardening grew. He grew a huge garden at his home on Buchanan Dam. He always grew enough fresh vegetables to share with all of his friends and neighbors, and he loved to help Rose can pickles that they also shared with everyone around.

Rose and Joe are members of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church where they volunteered for six years to work in the church thrift store. Joseph loved visiting with all of the people there. He never met a stranger, if he did not know you within five minutes you were going to know him and his family.

Joe is survived by his wife of 70 years, Rose, brother, sister and two daughters, his grandson and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, cousins, and all of the friends that he has made through the years, polka dancing, on the lake while fishing, hunting, and through their leather clothing business.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 from 4-6 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus. A Rosary will follow at 6 p.m. led by Deacon Rusty Theut.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 at 12 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus with Fr. James Dvorak officiating. Burial followed in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Marvin Tanecka (brother), Matthew Tanecka (nephew), Ted Harbers (nephew), Brian Vines (nephew), Allen Brunkenhoefer (friend), and Tom Garrett (friend). Honorary pallbearer was Roger Moon (friend), Johnny Lee Urban (cousin) and Lawrence Urban (cousin).

In lieu of flowers please make your donations to Heart of Forgiveness Ministries, 908 E. 4th St., Lampasas, Texas 76550 scholarship or orphanage fund.

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

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