Leonita Pavlas Robinson

Leonita Pavlas Robinson, 99 years old at the time of her death, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2014 at the Oak Manor Nursing Home in Flatonia. Leonita, the third child born to Adolph C. and Hedwig (Gieptner)  Pavlas, was born on May 24, 1915 in the Novohrad community. Her brother Adolph Jr. died in infancy and her sister Hattie died in 1932 at the age of 19. Her parents raised a foster son, Johnnie Zeman Pavlas who  is also deceased. Leonita attended elementary school in Novohrad. She attended Schulenburg High School for two and a half years, but quit to help care for her dying sister. Leonita went back to school at Komensky and graduated in 1933. That fall she started her senior year in Shiner and lived with her aunt, Annie Brosch. She graduated from Shiner High School in 1934. After graduation, she accepted the position of bookkeeper for Kotzebue Drug Store. While in Moulton, she lived with Dr. and Mrs. Heger. She worked there until the Hegers invited her to go with them on a trip to Detroit, Michigan to pick up the new car they had purchased. Thinking this was an opportunity she could not refuse; she quit her job and accompanied the Hegers on their trip. They rode the train known as the Dinky to the end of its route and took a bus from there. After getting the car, they toured Michigan, Niagara Falls, Canada and several western states on their way home. While working at Harry Otto’s Café, Leonita met the love of her life, Bryon Robinson.  They married Oct. 14, 1940. To this union two children were born, daughter Cynthia and son Gregg. Working side by side on their farm and dairy, they lived a good life in Flatonia until Oct. 13, 1954 when her beloved Bryon was killed in a truck accident. Leonita was a charter member and former officer of the American Legion Auxiliary, a charter member of The Catholic Daughters of America, a former member and officer of the P.T.A., a member and former officer of the K.J.Z.T, former Cub Scout Den Mother, and has been an Eucharistic Minister from its inception. Her favorite pas times were reading, doing Seek and Find puzzles, playing cards and dominoes, talking to her family and friends, crocheting, bowling, and cheering on the Spurs. She is survived by her daughter Cynthia (Robinson) Baca and her son Gregg Robinson. Cynthia’s family includes  her husband Edwin, her children Emery (his wife Janet), Melanie, Kelly and Bryon (his wife Jennifer). Gregg’s family includes his wife Myra, his children James (his wife Melissa), Monica (her husband Cody) and Philip (his wife Abigail). She was blessed with five great-grandsons: Michael and Christopher (Emery’s sons), Benjamin and Joshua (Bryon’s sons) and Landry (James’ son). Leonita also had four greatgreat- grandchildren. Michael’s children Jacob, Allison, Hayden and Kathryn. Visitation began at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 10, 2014 at Smith Funeral Home in Flatonia and a Rosary was held at 7 p.m. Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 11, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flatonia with Rev. Eddie Winkler officiating and burial will 

follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery-Praha. Words of comfort maybe expressed to the family at www. smithfuneralhomeflatonia.com. Smith Funeral Home in Flatonia was in charge of arrangements.