Rita Ann Kana Brossmann

Rita Ann Kana Brossmann, 72, of Schulenburg, passed away on Friday, April 27 at Victoria. The funeral was held on Wednesday, May 2 at 10 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Pallbearers were Clayton Brossmann, Christopher Redding, Ricky Kristynik, Alan Kristynik, Kyle Kristynik, Ryan Kristynik, Nathan Redman, Richard Spiegel, Stephan Kana, Steve Miller, Mark Dujka, John Dujka and Miles Marburger. Named as honorary pallbearers were Cassie Redding, April Brossmann, Brooke Redding, Brant Redman and Barret Redman. Rosary was recited on Tuesday, May 1 at 8 p.m. at the church. She was born on Feb. 7, 1946 in Shiner to Emil and Ella (Barta) Kana. She had an older sister, Janie, and brother, Emil. She grew up and attended school in Hostyn. When she started school, she did not know any English. She enjoyed going to auction barns with her father – they would buy baby calves to bottlefeed and resell. When picking eggs, she would drive the Farmall A tractor to the different barns – this continued until she drove the tractor through the back of the barn. She said she was scared of the dark so instead of taking the trash out to the trash pile, she would throw it under the house – she told her family this as a warning to Roxy and Darren Redding who now live in that house. She attended La Grange High School and graduated in 1964. She was in the FHA, library club and the Leopardettes. She also played volleyball in high school. She met James Brossmann at a Swiss Alp dance on April 17, 1964. On April 19, they were at a wedding dance in Weimar and James asked her out. Their first date was on April 24. Rita went on to graduate and attend beauty school in Austin. She came home every weekend to date James. They became engaged on Nov. 25, 1964 under a huge live oak tree at the Round-up Hall in La Grange. A formal announcement was made at the dance by the Bay City Dutchman. James and Rita led off the dance of the next song, “Austin Waltz.” They were married on May 30, 1965 at St. Rose Church. They then began their life in Schulenburg. Rita was a hairdresser for Mrs. Hamilton. She then went to work for Stanzel's. Life got busy with the birth of Sheila in 1968 and Scotty in 1969. It got even more busy when Roxy was born in 1974. She then started working as an activity director at Colonial Nursing Home. In the early 1980s, she went back to college to get her administrator's license. She was administrator at Colonial Nursing Home until her retirement in 2001. She then became a substitute for Schulenburg lSD. She also worked part-time at Weimar hospital and helped at the Schulenburg Area Food Pantry. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, St. Rose Altar Society, American Legion Auxiliary and Schulenburg Area Food Pantry. She was a charter member of the Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She belonged to the Lions Club, Booster Club, Schulenburg Trailriders, and was a director for the Schulenburg Festival Association. She and her husband led many grand marches at weddings. She bowled for many years. She loved to cook and her noodle soup was famous among her nieces and nephews. She loved to try new recipes even if it was a one-time thing. She loved cooking for her grandchildren and their friends. She was very creative and crafty. Once Scotty moved out, she turned his bedroom into a craft room. She sewed and sold Barbie doll clothes along with clothes for Sheila when she was little. She made wreaths, homecoming mums, arrangements and blankets. And this is the room her grandchildren came to whenever they needed to create a last-minute school project. She attended as many sporting events as she could of her children and grandchildren, from little dribblers to swimming to Little League to all junior high and high school events. She always had a positive or encouraging word to the players. She was James' secretary, reminding him of all his meetings, when to pick up the grandchildren from school, and when to take his medication. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Sheila Brossmann of Schulenburg, and Roxann Redding and husband Darren of Hostyn; a son, Scotty Brossmann and wife Cheryl of St. John; sister, Janie Kristynik of Garwood; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Willie and Mary Lou Dujka of Wallis; and five grandchildren, Clayton Brossmann, April Brossmann, Christopher Redding, Cassie Redding and Brooke Redding. Preceding her in death were her parents, Emil and Ella Kana; brother and sister-in-law, Emil and Diane Kana; brother-in-law, Bernard Kristynik; and brotheri-n-law and sister-in-law, Charles and Delores Brossmann. Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.