Dolores (Kahlich) Guenther Vacek, 95, of La Grange, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.
Dolores was born to Alfred and Emma Kahlich on Dec. 19, 1928, at their new home in Schulenburg. She attended St. Rose Catholic School. After graduating eighth grade in 1942, she attended Schulenburg High School, graduating in 1946, and started working at First National Bank in Schulenburg. She married Frank J. Guenther Jr. on April 10, 1948, and moved to La Grange where they lived on the Guenther farm for 10 years during which time they were blessed with their first four children: Philip, Thomas, Judy and James. In 1960, they moved into town and in 1969 were blessed with their fifth child, Annette. Dolores and Frank were married for 37 years, enjoying life with their children, raising cattle and hay on the Guenther farm, managing Guenther Flying Service and later Guenther Communications and rental lots. Frank passed away in May of 1985.
Dolores was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange from 1960 until her passing and was faithfully involved in the church and community. She served as president of Sacred Heart School PTC, president of Sacred Heart Alter Society, chair of funeral dinners, served on the Sacred Heart Church Board, and was a member of the Austin Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and the Catholic Life Insurance Union. She became a member of Trinity Hill Home Demonstration Club in 1954 and served as president and delegate to the Home Demonstration Council. Dolores was particularly fond of her time spent serving with the CDA and Second Chance Emporium. She joined the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Annunciation #1962, and served as regent and district deputy, attending many state conventions over the years. She also served on the founding board of Second Chance Emporium and volunteered there from 1996-2016.
From 1973 to 1990, Dolores worked for the U.S. Farm Census & U.S. Census Bureau and was Fayette County crew leader for the 1990 U.S. Census. But she understood that life wasn’t just about work – Dolores really enjoyed traveling and playing bridge with her friends. She belonged to several bridge clubs and bridge nights meant helping her set up the tables, chairs etc. and then hang out with dad in the den so the ladies could play in peace. After Frank’s passing, Dolores traveled to various sights in the U.S. as well as Germany and the Czech Republic.
In 1998, Dolores reconnected with a former classmate, Edwin Vacek, and a beautiful romance blossomed. They were married on the feast of St. Nicholas, Dec. 6, 2000, and enjoyed 22 years of love, devotion and adventures together until Ed’s passing in December of 2022.
Dolores is survived by her sister Bernice Kahlich Havel and husband Alvin Joe of Schulenburg; son, Philip Guenther and wife Kathy (Wenglar) Guenther of Moravia; son, Thomas Guenther and wife Frances (Wostarek) Guenther of La Grange; daughter, Judy (Guenther) Franke and husband Larry Franke of Cypress; son, James “Jim” Guenther and wife Joanna (Richter) Guenther of Marble Falls; daughter, Annette Guenther of La Grange; stepchildren, Suzanne Housewright, Mike Vacek and Debbie Martin; grandchildren, Kyle & Robin Guenther, Jacob & Renee Absher, Matthew & Jen Guenther, Angie Guenther, Chris & Toni Franke, Jason & Kat Guenther, Jack & Catherine Guenther, Josh & Rebecca Guenther; and great-grandchildren, Crockett Guenther, Rowdy Guenther, Landry Absher, Parker Grace Absher, Hudson Guenther, Jordan Bailey, Lena Franke, Cole Franke, Jeremy Guenther, Kent Guenther, Kendra Guenther, Grayson Guenther, John Paul Guenther and Suzanne Guenther.
Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Emma Kahlich; first husband, Frank J. Guenther Jr. and his parents, Dr. Frank J. Guenther and Antoinette Guenther; second husband, Edwin Vacek; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation was held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations of La Grange, from 1 to 7 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
The rosary and funeral Mass were held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, with the Holy Rosary at 10 a.m. and the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Burial was held after the funeral mass at the La Grange City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Chris Franke, Matthew Guenther, Kyle Guenther, Jason Guenther, Jack Guenther and Josh Guenther.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Annunciation #1962 Dolores Vacek Scholarship Fund, the Catholic Endowment Fund, or a charity of one’s choice.
Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www. lagrangefunerals.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.