Evelyn Vallie Emma (Ilse) Jecmenek

Evelyn Vallie Emma (Ilse) Jecmenek, 86, of Ellinger, died on Feb. 18, 2016 at St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange. Evelyn was born in Houston on Aug. 12, 1929, the daughter of Lee and Norma (Scheu) Ilse. She was baptized on Nov. 17, 1929 in Houston and confirmed on Sept. 6, 1942 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Warrenton. Evelyn married Leon Jecmenek on June 13, 1953 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in La Grange. She earned a business degree from Massey Business School. She worked at Fayette County Abstract Company for many years. Later she worked at Dyer’s Pharmacy and Hermes Pharmacy. She reported the Ellinger News for the Fayette County Record for several years. Evelyn loved traveling and taking pictures. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinger where she was the organist for forty-seven years and taught Sunday school. She was a member and President of Women of WELCA and a member of Czech Heritage Society, Hermann Sons and Lutheran Brotherhood and other community organizations. She also played the piano with the Lee Ilse Orchestra. She is survived by son, Alan Jecmenek and fiancée, Jayne Cockroft, of Houston; daughter, Debra Orsak and husband, Joe, of Brenham; two sisters: Leatrice Hartman and husband, Carl, of Cat Spring; Velrie Prause of La Grange; sister-in-law, Jackie Jecmenek of Bay City; grandchildren: Christina Krabill and husband, Zachary, of Richland Hills; Kimberly Hoff and husband, Brandon, of Bellville; Nicholas Orsak of  College Station; great-grandchildren: Oliver Krabill, Elinor Krabill, Lillian Hoff and Greta Hoff. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; granddaughter, Melissa Orsak; brothers- in-law: Glen Prause and Eddie Jecmenek; daughter-in-law, Rosalee Jecmenek; and long-time companion, Jerome Mazoch. Visitation was held on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home. Family received friends from 2 to 6 p.m. Funeral services were held at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Feb. 22, 2016 with Pastor Marcia Kifer officiating. Burial followed at La Grange City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Nicholas Orsak, Zachary Krabill, Brandon Hoff, Joe Orsak, Gary Prause and Ronnie Hartman and serving as honorary pallbearer is Oliver Krabill. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 8, Ellinger, Texas 78938 or a charity of one’s choice. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange was in charge of arrangements.