Ernest Frank Matura Sr.

Ernest Frank Matura Sr., 79, of Dubina, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday morning, Jan. 22, 2023 at Pam Health Specialty Rehabilitation Hospital in Victoria.

Ernest was born on Dec. 3, 1943, the fourth of six children (three boys and three girls) to Henry and Vlasta Valicek Matura in Dubina. In his early years, Ernest attended school in Dubina until the school closed and transferred its students to Ammannsville. When the school in Ammannsville burned, the children returned to school in Dubina, where he attended until his eighth grade year, when he transferred to St. Michael’s School in Weimar for one year (and the family understands, from folks who attended with him, that he was by far the tallest boy in school, already close to his ultimate height of 6’3”). He went on to attend Bishop Forest in Schulenburg through the 10th grade but would ultimately quit school to help take care and work on the family farm – work that included farming, ranching and welding.

Later, he would start his own custom farming and ranching operation. Ernest was the first in Dubina to have a cotton stripper and corn puller which were new to the area, thus helping to ease the manual labor for many around the area. Ernest loved to help others when needed.

In the spring of 1967, he met Suzanne Klauber, originally from California, whose family also owned a farm in Dubina. On Sept. 8, 1967 they were married and later had a son, Ernest Jr. (“Ernie”), and a daughter, Nancy. Ernest and Suzanne were then given the opportunity to buy the Matura family farm in Dubina – and it remained their permanent address for the rest of their lives. Ernest and Suzanne both loved their country lifestyle – they rode horses, took part in many trail rides, and gave many great parties for friends under their live oaks, just above the creek, over the years.

Years later, Ernest decided to expand his welding capabilities and went to work for Brown & Root to weld while still farming, ranching and welding in the evenings. He also worked part-time for both the La Grange and Flatonia livestock auctions, and even bought bulls, hogs etc. for Kasper Meat Market’s slaughtering plant. Many might remember, as well, Ernest making his own sausage, jerky and hamburger meat on the farm, often with the help of good friends. He enjoyed butchering and gifting so much that he even designed his own small shop and smokehouse at home. And let’s not forget all the welding! Never one to quit farming and ranching, though, Ernest worked many hours in family fields and on the farms of others, especially in the Dubina-Ammannsville area. Even after Suzanne’s death in 2004, a difficult year with Ernest losing his life-mate, he continued to haul cattle for many who didn’t have the means to get their livestock to the local sales and oversee farming and ranching operations.

In addition to his children, Ernie and Nancy, Ernest leaves three grandsons, Cody, Trenton and Jayden, whom he always adored. He loved teaching them how to keep up a farm by fixing fences (and all else!) until in declining health he had to stop. But fishing was another matter: he would take his grandsons down to either of the tanks below the house and just watch them fish for hours (of course, always teasing them about who caught the biggest one). But he also enjoyed watching deer coming to his feeders – and couldn’t wait until deer season so that his grandsons could go hunting. But, clearly, his biggest enjoyment by far was just watching his grandsons have some good old-fashioned fun down on the farm.

As the years went by, Ernest grew fond of having ducks, chickens, turkeys, and geese (even wild ones) on the place…and riding around to watch them. He’d often take a grandson with him on his UTV.

Although he wasn’t able to farm and ranch for the last several years due to health issues, Ernest always made sure to go see where hay was being made, or to just sit and watch his son and son-in-law make hay. And he so enjoyed having his son, daughter, or caregiver, Sandra, drive him around to look at his cattle and see what was going on … just everywhere! Ernest’s life really came full circle surrounded by family (from his wife to his children and then grandchildren) and farm.

Ernest is survived by his daughter, Nancy Olmos and husband Jacob of Schulenburg; his son, Ernest “Ernie” Matura Jr. of Schulenburg; three sisters, Evelyn Meyer of Schulenburg, Gladys Machicek of Schulenburg, and Edith Hartensteiner of Sugarland; and three grandsons. Cody May of San Marcos, Trenton Olmos of Schulenburg and Jayden Olmos of Schulenburg.

Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Vlasta Valicek Matura; his wife Suzanne; and brothers Eugene and Erwin Matura.

Funeral services were set for Friday, Jan. 27, 2023 in the Dubina Catholic Church in Dubina, with Fr. Flagg officiating and interment in the Dubina Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were grandsons Cody May and Jayden Olmos; and nephews Eugene Matura Jr., James Matura, Thomas Meyer, Walter Matura, Bradley Machicek and Clay Hajovsky.

Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.