Balcar

Patricia “Pat” Marie Zapalac Balcar, 80, died on Monday, March 18 at Spanish Meadows in Katy. She fought a courageous battle against numerous medical challenges following her open heart surgery on Dec. 18.

The funeral was held at St. Rose Catholic Church on Saturday, March 23 at 10 a.m. with interment in the church cemetery. Officiating was the Rev. Tim Kosler.

Pallbearers were Garrison Balcar of College Station, grandson; Allen Gibson of Houston, son-in-law; Ryan Gibson of Houston, grandson; Tyler Gibson of McKinney, grandson; Rudy Machala of El Campo, brother-in-law and Stanley Pesek of Schulenburg, brother-in-law.

The rosary was recited on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home, led by Rev. Kosler and the Catholic Daughters.

Born in Rosenberg on March 22, 1938, she was the daughter of John and Adelle (Pesek) Zapalac. Her twin sisters, Ann and Marie, passed away as tiny infants in 1930 in Schulenburg. As an only child, her first cousins were as close as siblings, and they called her Patsy.

Pat received her Bachelor of Science degree and her Master’s degree from Southwest State Texas University (now Texas State University). She held endorsements for Gifted and Talented Education and certificates to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) and Elementary Special Education. Pat taught three years for the Flatonia I.S.D. and twenty-nine years for Schulenburg I.S.D. and touched the lives of so many students through her gentle but firm tutelage.

After retirement from public education, Pat worked as a part time Special Ed. teacher at Whispering Hills Achievement Center in Flatonia. Pat then became a docent for the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce Painted Church Tours and conducted tour groups for over 10 years. She enjoyed meeting people from all over as she shared the stories of the first Czech and German immigrants to our area. Her Great Grandpa Pesek helped start the first Czech school in Praha in the late 1880’s, so she especially loved sharing stories of her own Mother’s experiences attending the school in the early part of the 20th century.

Pat was a member of the St. Rose Parish, St. Rose Catholic Daughters, Retired Teachers of Texas and the Friends of the Library in Schulenburg.

Donations in her memory may be sent to St. Rose Catholic Church, St. Rose Catholic School, Schulenburg Public Library or a charity of one’s choice.

Preceding her in death were her parents and twin sisters. Pat is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 60 years, Johnnie Balcar of Schulenburg, daughter-Sherrie Gibson/husband Allen of Houston; sons-John Gary Balcar/wife Rhonda of Bartonville and Danny Joe Balcar/wife Michelle of San Antonio; sister-in-law Mary Jane Pesek of Schulenburg and brother-in-law Rudy Machala of El Campo; 7 grandchildren, nieces and nephew.

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