Arnold August Janda, 86, of La Grange, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.
Arnold was born in La Grange on Sept. 17, 1936, the son of Frances (Rainosek) and Joseph M. Janda. He attended school at the Czech Catholic School in Hostyn and went to High School in La Grange, graduating in 1955. He met the love of his life, Helen Marie Dittrich and they married on April 20, 1963 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill. Together they had four children: Jenifer, Gerald, Wayne and Tricia.
Arnold grew up dairy farming where he learned the trade of Artificial Insemination. He also raised cattle of his own. In the late 1970s he began working for MKT Railroad, which later became Union Pacific, where he worked for 23 years as a Conductor. He retired on May 1, 1999. When he wasn’t busy running the rails, Arnold was very active in his community. He was member of the Knights of Columbus, KJT and Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn, where he was on the Church Council. He served as a director of the Colorado Valley Independent Cattleman’s Association (ICA). Arnold had a love of gardening and always had a large vegetable garden, fruit and pecan trees. He loved to play dominoes and cards with family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Janda of La Grange; daughter, Jenifer Boening and husband David of La Grange; sons: Gerald Janda and wife Monica of Karnes City, and Wayne Janda and wife Donna of La Grange; brother, Leo Janda and wife Joyce of Schulenburg; sister, JoAnn Stasny and husband Marvin of Pearland; grandchildren, Kevin Boening, Joshua Janda, Jacob Janda and Zachary Janda; numerous nieces and nephews as well as numerous cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances and Joseph M. Janda; daughter, Tricia Marie Janda; sisters, Lillian Koether and husband Leon, and Dorothy Janacek and husband Edward; and niece, Marie (Janacek) Cook.
Visitation was held on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl St., La Grange. Family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Holy Rosary was recited at 7 p.m.
Funeral services were held at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Plum at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Burial followed at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Hostyn. A reception followed at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Plum.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Fund, 936 FM 2436, La Grange, TX 78945 or Colorado Valley ICA Scholarship Fund, c/o Steve Janda, 1005 Janda Ln., La Grange, TX 78945.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, 208 W. Pearl, La Grange. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.