Vacek

Dolores (Kahlich) Guenther Vacek, 95 of La Grange, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. Dolores was born to Alfred and Emma Kahlich on December 19, 1928, at their new home in Schulenburg. She attended St. Rose Catholic School. After graduating 8th grade in 1942, she attended Schulenburg High School, graduating in 1946 and started working at First National Bank in Schulenburg. She married Frank J. Guenther Jr. on April 10, 1948, and moved to La Grange where they lived on the Guenther farm for 10 years during which time they were blessed with their first four children: Philip, Thomas, Judy, and James. In 1960 they moved into town and in 1969 were blessed with their fifth child, Annette. Dolores and Frank were married for 37 years, enjoying life with their children, raising cattle and hay on the Guenther farm, managing Guenther Flying Service and later Guenther Communications and rental lots. Frank passed away in May of 1985.

Dolores was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange from 1960 until her passing and was faithfully involved in the church and community. She served as president of Sacred Heart School PTC, president of Sacred Heart Alter Society, chairman of funeral dinners, served on the Sacred Heart Church Board, and was a member of the Austin diocesan council of catholic women and the Catholic Life Insurance Union. She became a member of Trinity Hill Home Demonstration Club in 1954 and served as president and delegate to the Home Demonstration Council. Dolores was particularly fond of her time spent serving with the CDA and Second Chance Emporium. She joined the Catholic Daughters of the America’s, Court Annunciation No. 1962 and served as Regent and District Deputy, attending many state conventions over the years. She also served on the founding board of Second Chance Emporium and volunteered there from 1996-2016.

From 1973 to 1990, Dolores worked for the US Farm Census & US Census Bureau and was Fayette County Crew Leader for the 1990 US Census. But she understood that life wasn’t just about work. Dolores really enjoyed traveling and playing bridge with her friends. She belonged to several bridge clubs and bridge nights meant helping her set up the tables, chairs etc. and then hang out with dad in the den so the ladies could play in peace. After Frank’s passing, Dolores traveled to various sights in the US as well as Germany and the Czech Republic.

In 1998, Dolores reconnected with a former classmate, Edwin Vacek and a beautiful romance blossomed. They were married on the feast of St. Nicholas, Dec. 6, 2000, and enjoyed 22 years of love, devotion and adventures together until Ed’s passing in December of 2022.

Dolores is survived by her sister, Bernice Kahlich Havel and husband, Alvin Joe of Schulenburg; children, Philip Guenther and wife, Kathy (Wenglar) Guenther of Moravia; son, Thomas Guenther and wife, Frances (Wostarek) Guenther of La Grange; daughter, Judy (Guenther) Franke and husband, Larry Franke of Cypress; son, James (Jim) Guenther and wife, Joanna (Richter) Guenther of Marble Falls; daughter, Annette Guenther of La Grange; stepchildren, Suzanne Housewright, Mike Vacek and Debbie Martin; grandchildren, Kyle and Robin Guenther, Jacob and Renee Absher, Matthew and Jen Guenther, Angie Guenther, Chris and Toni Franke, Jason and Kat Guenther, Jack and Catherine Guenther, Josh and Rebecca Guenther; greatgrandchildren, Crockett Guenther, Rowdy Guenther, Landry Absher, Parker Grace Absher, Hudson Guenther, Jordan Bailey, Lena Franke, Cole Franke, Jeremy Guenther, Kent Guenther, Kendra Guenther, Grayson Guenther, John Paul Guenther and Suzanne Guenther.

Dolores is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Emma Kahlich; first husband, Frank J. Guenther Jr. and his parents, Dr. Frank J. Guenther and Antoinette Guenther; second husband, Edwin Vacek, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations of La Grange, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Rosary and Funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, with the Holy Rosary beginning at 10 a.m. and the Funeral Mass following at 11 a.m. Burial was held after the Funeral Mass at the La Grange City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Chris Franke, Matthew Guenther, Kyle Guenther, Jason Guenther, Jack Guenther and Josh Guenther.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Annunciation No. 1962 Dolores Vacek Scholarship Fund, the Catholic Endowment Fund, or a charity of one’s choice.

The family thanks the caring staff at Care Inn, Monument Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and JOL Hospice for taking such good care of mom. A very special thank you to Phyllis Cernoch Chavarria who has truly been a blessing to mom and our family, for lovingly helping mom after Ed passed and for taking her “out in the world to see some things” as she so often said.

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.