Hattie Francis Kalich

Hattie Francis Kalich passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 at the age of 103.

She was born on Aug. 17, 1920, in Fayette County, Texas to Frank John and Francis (Konvicka) Humplik. Hattie grew up in Weimar, where she met her husband, Alfred Walter Kalich. The couple moved to Corpus Christi in 1939 and later settled on the Rincon Ranch, five miles north of Gregory, where Alfred worked as the ranch manager for owner, W.B. Ray.

Hattie and Alfred raised four children, Larry (Donna) Kalich, Harvey (Sharon) Kalich, Connie (Mike) Bond and Polly (Randy) Wright. Growing up on a working cattle ranch, the family all participated from daily cow milkings to repairing fence and breaking in new cutting horses. Hattie was the perfect mother and wife – sewing, cleaning and cooking all day for four kids and hosting domino parties in the evenings with their many friends and family in the area. In the early 1970s, Hattie worked to obtain her GED and then attended Del Mar College where she obtained her LVN nursing license. After the death of her husband, Alfred, in 1975, she immersed herself in her nursing career, working full-time until she was 80 years old. Her kind heart led her to care for countless others in several area hospitals and nursing homes. Her legacy will be the compassion and tireless care she showed for her patients and her family.

After retirement, and into her late 90s, Hattie loved to see her grandchildren, garden year-round and spoil her many pets. Her energy was boundless. Her faith in God was complete. She loved to walk her dogs in the neighborhood and spend time on the beach with family.

Hattie is predeceased by her parents, husband Alfred, brother George Humplik and sister Elenora Lacina.

She is survived by all her children as well as grandchildren Bonnie Walker (Drew), Kristie Gleinig (Jeff), Kevin Kalich (Sheila), Dolly Westfahl (George), Kim Shannon (Tim), Karen O’Connor (Patrick), Diana Gledhill (James), Lori Groesbeck (JD), Kimberly Boatman (Jeff), Christopher Wright (Kim) and 27 great-grandchildren.

Friends and family were invited to share reflections of her life on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Winsteads’ Funeral Home in Portland. A funeral service was celebrated on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church on Lang Road in Portland with interment following at Palms Memorial Gardens in Portland.

Arrangements were under the direction and personal care of WInsteads’ Funeral Home, 361-643-6564, www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com.