Zapalac Sr.

Henry Joseph Zapalac died Jan. 13, 2022 at his home after a battle with cancer.

He was born on April 10, 1947 to Selven and Clara (Okruhlik) Zapalac. On Nov. 30, 1968, he married Betty Jean Raabe at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moulton and together they were blessed with seven children: Kimberly, Henry Jr., Donald, Patrick, Jean, Paul and Paula.

Henry and Betty started Grade B dairy farming in Freyburg, moved for a short time to La Grange, and returned to a newly built Grade A barn in Freyburg in November 1980, where they raised six children and milked cows.

Henry was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, which prompted his retirement from dairy farming. In 2014 he had quadruple bypass heart surgery. He continued raising beef cattle and hay farming until cancer spread to his liver earlier this year.

He enjoyed everything to do with and for his kids and grandkids. He always had a smile.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 53 years, Betty, Children and grandchildren Kimberly Zapalac of La Grange; Henry Jr. and wife Megan, son Reid Zapalac of Schulenburg; Donald and wife Melissa and children Blaine and Landry Zapalac of Schulenburg; Patrick and wife Callene and children Kylee, Kelli, Harly and Riley Zapalac of La Grange; Paul and wife Amber, and children Kaleb and Kynslee Zapalac of Schulenburg; and Paula and husband Scott and daughter Taylor Self of Moulton.

Sister Agnes and Eddie Kosh of Moravia, brothers Julius and Edith Zapalac of Muldoon; Herman and Irene Zapalac of Marlin; Michael and Jennifer Zapalac of La Grange and sister-in-law Karen Zapalac of New Taiton. Sisters-in-law Janet Koncaba of Moulton, Eileen and George Berckenhoff of Engle, and brothers-in-law Walter Jr. and Jeanette Raabe of Muldoon; Jerry and Charlene Raabe of Moulton, and Daniel and Anne Raabe of Moulton along with other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Walter Sr. and Elda (Bauer) Raabe; infant daughter Jean; brother Edwin Zapalac; sisters-in-law Martha and Johnnie Koncaba; Shirley and Emil Schoenweitz, brothers-on-law Emil Koncaba and Albert Berckenhoff.

Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 at 2 p.m. with Father Felix Twumasi and Monsignor Tim Kosler officiating.

Visitation began at the church Jan. 17 at noon, with the Parish and Knights of Columbus Rosary recited by Ed Kusy prior to the Mass at 1:30 p.m.

Interment followed at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in High Hill.

Pall bearers were nephews David Berckenhoff, Harvey Berckenhoff, Mason Florus and Charles Zapalac and friends Marshall Herzik and Rodney Kalich.

The family requests donations be made to: Hospice Brazos Valley; or the American Cancer Society; or High Hill Restoration Fund; or a charity of one’s choice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home in Schulenburg.