On Friday, Aug. 12, 2022 at the age of 96, Clarence Charles Besetsny passed away peacefully in his home while surrounded by his wife and children.
Clarence was born on Aug. 3, 1926 in the small community of St. John to Charles and Ernestine Besetsny. He grew up in St. John and attended the St. John School. He met his wife Evelyn at a dance in Praha and got married on Sept. 25, 1950 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. For 72 years, they lived a wonderful life together and raised six children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
As a young man of 18, he joined the United States Navy as a Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class. After World War II ended, he was honorably discharged on July 30, 1946, and he then returned home where he began farming and ranching. Along with his farming, he wanted to bring the German and Czech pastries of his ancestors to Schulenburg. On April 25,1979 while still running the family farm, Clarence and his wife created the prosperous business known as the Kountry Bakery. Many family members and employees remember that if something didn’t turn out the way he wanted, he would simply eat it. Whenever children would come into the bakery, he would be there giving them a doughnut hole. If you were to ask him, he would say he retired at 70 but you could always find flour on him until he was 80.
In his retirement, he enjoyed tending to his animals and his gardens at home. Watching his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up was another added bonus to retirement. He loved getting together with his family to barbecue chicken and make homemade ice cream. He could always be found playing dominos with one of his many grandsons on holidays and weekends.
Clarence is survived by his wife, Evelyn Valicek Besetsny; his daughters, Patsy Canion, Annette Walker and Lynn (David) Heller; his son, David Besetsny (Penny Beiersdorfer); his daughter-in-law, Pam Besetsny; his brother, James Besetsny; his sister, Jeanette Terrell; his grandchildren, Kevin McBride, Curt Besetsny, Bart McBride , Kendra Besetsny, Kalan Besetsny, Chris Walker, Sarah Walker, Tanner Canion, Rylee Mica and Cole Heller. His great-grandchildren include Madeline, Claire, Emerson Grace Besetsny; Colson, Brody, Parker and Isabelle Cahal; Kaleigh, Gavin and Finn McBride; Abraham and Abigail McBride; Kace Walker; Rhen Mica; and Witley and Landri Besetsny. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Ernestine (Berger) Besetsny; his grandparents Charles and Mary Besetsny and Anton and Annie Berger; his son Robert Besetsny ; his daughter Susan Joost; his grandchildren Dusty McBride, Eric Joost, Lauren Joost and Nerissa (Besetsny) Cahal; his brother. Alvin Besetsny; and his sister Estella Valicek.
Parish rosary was recited on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022 at 7 p.m. at Schwenke- Baumgarten Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at St. Rose Catholic Church on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022 at 10 a.m. Officiating was Rev. Chase Goodman. Readers were Kendra Besetsny, Rylee Mica and Sarah Walker. Gift-bearers were Abraham McBride and Abigail McBride. Musicians were Amanda Brown and Peggy Kalich.
Entombment was in the St. Rose Catholic Mausoleum, with full military honors conducted at the cemetery by the Schulenburg American Legion. Pallbearers were Curt Besetsny, Kalan Besetsny, Tanner Canion, Cole Heller, Bart McBride, Kevin McBride and Chris Walker.
The family requests donations be made to St. Rose Catholic Church or St. Rose Catholic School, P.O Box 310, Schulenburg, TX 78956.