Tieken
Barbara Ray (Chovanec) Tieken, 63, of La Grange, entered into Eternal Rest on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022.
Barbara was born in La Grange on June 23, 1958, the daughter of Clement Chovanec and Vlasta (Malota) Chovanec Brown.
She graduated from La Grange High School in 1976.
Barbara worked in retail most of her life, beginning at Perry’s then managing The Western Store, and then working for Bealls Department store in La Grange for over fifteen years. She began her career at Bealls as a retail salesperson and later served as the store manager for several years. After retiring from Bealls, Barbara worked for a number of years at Second Chance Emporium and volunteered a large portion of her time there. She was the type of person that always enjoyed helping customers and bringing a smile to their faces.
Barbara also volunteered her time with the Fayette County Fair Association, having served on the Board of Directors for many years. She was honored to be named Volunteer of the Year in 2015 by the Fayette County Fair Association. Barbara had such a strong work ethic and instilled those values in those around her.
For the last four years, Barbara courageously battled cancer. She stayed determined through it all to continue her treatments and kept a positive mindset. She was a symbol of strength and perseverance to both her family and friends.
Barbara was a member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church of Hostyn and a member of KJT.
She married, Gerald Duane Tieken on Oct. 12, 2002, in a beautiful backyard ceremony at their first home in La Grange. Gerald and Barbara were blessed to have shared almost twenty years together as husband and wife.
Barbara was an avid baseball fan. Her favorite team being the Houston Astros. As her grandsons, Josh and Chase began playing baseball, she became their #1 fan and biggest sup porter. Barbara loved the outdoors, and was excited to settle into the peacefulness of country living with Gerald. She welcomed her daily “porch time,” where she could watch the deer feeding in the yard. Also, in her spare time, Barbara enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles and playing bunco monthly with her group of bunco ladies. Barbara and Gerald also enjoyed going to country dances at all of the area dance halls.
She is survived by her loving husband, Gerald Tieken; daughter, Karen Krnavek and husband, Charlie of La Grange; son, Michael Machala and girlfriend, Kara Welch of West Point; stepdaughter, Megan Benson and husband, Jason of Dripping Springs; mother, Vlasta (Malota) Brown and stepfather, Don Brown of Fayetteville; siblings: Patsy Dorraj of Fort Worth; Richard Chovanec and wife, Rose of Ganado; and Rebecca “Becky” Deen and fiancé, Calvin Harbaugh of La Grange; step brother, Paul Brown and wife, Patty of Round Top; and mother-in-law, Charlotte Tieken of Gonzales; three grandsons whom Barbara adored: Josh Krnavek and girlfriend, Rosa Rios; Chase Krnavek and Jackson Benson; nieces and nephews: Katrina and Matt Fisher and Stella; Rachel Chovanec; Regina and Jake Boyd, Noah and Caleb; Marsha Chovanec; Shelby and Brandon Beseda and Emersyn; Zane Deen; Kaimbry Deen; Kristin Brown; Jeremy and Ashlynn Brown; along with numerous cousins, extended family members and dear friends especially: Pam Moreno, Delores Supak and Fran Mason.
Barbara was preceded in death by her father, Clement Chovanec; grandparents: Joe and Julie Malota, Rudolph and Celestine Chovanec; father-inlaw, Gerald Tieken and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A visitation was held on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange. Family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.
Funeral Services were held at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. Burial followed at the Fayetteville Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and to Second Chance Emporium of La Grange.
Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.