Irene Frances Prihoda passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 in Schulenburg.
Irene was born on July 17, 1946 to Gilbert Jochen and Thelma (Schmedt) Jochen in Schulenburg. She graduated from Schulenburg High School in 1964. Growing up, Irene worked tirelessly on the family farm in the Swiss Alp/Freyburg area. After graduation, she started working as a bookkeeper at Herder Truck Lines and later became a secretary to the president and chief financial officer. During this time, she met a fellow office-worker named Bill Prihoda who became the love of her life. They married on April 15, 1967 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Plum and settled in Weimar to start a long, happy and full life.
Irene was blessed with three sons, David Anthony, Warren Matthew and Stephen Dwayne – her pride and joy. She was a full-time stay-at-home mom until Stephen went to school and then accepted employment with Hill Bank & Trust Co. in Weimar for over 30 years where she advanced from bookkeeper to senior vice president and cashier. After retiring, she took a part-time position at the Weimar Public Library.
She enjoyed crocheting, crafting, playing the piano, gardening, reading her well-worn Bible and camping. She proudly attended countless baseball games to watch Bill, Warren and Stephen compete as well as many of their academic and FFA events. She later watched her grandchildren on the basketball court. Her favorite times were laughing and talking with her family – nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters-in-law, extended family and her grandchildren – Tyler, Christopher, Kaitlyn and Cole.
Irene was very active in her community and church. She served as a church council member, lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Michael Catholic Church. She was a charter member and past president of the Weimar Encore Lions Club, chaired the St. Michael Harvest Feast and Spring Festival finance committees, and served as the Salvation Army treasurer.
Irene was preceded in death by her infant son, David Prihoda; her parents, Gilbert and Thelma Jochen; and brothers-in-law, James Prihoda and Johnny Prihoda.
She is survived by her husband William (Bill) Prihoda of Weimar; sons Warren Prihoda and wife Christine of The Woodlands, and Stephen Prihoda and wife Krystal of Jersey Village; grandchildren, Tyler Prihoda, Christopher Prihoda, Kaitlyn Prihoda and Cole Prihoda; brother, Conrad Jochen and wife Shirley of Fulshear; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Prihoda of High Hill, Joan Prihoda of Weimar, Raymond and Sherry Prihoda of Weimar, and Dorothy and Leslie Bacak of El Campo.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday Nov. 14, 2025 at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, followed by a parish prayer service and rosary at 6 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday Nov. 15, 2025 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Weimar, with Fr. Luke Prihoda officiating. Burial will follow at St. Michael Catholic Church Mausoleum.
Serving as pallbearers will be Cole Prihoda, Bryan Jochen, Mark Jochen, Josh Prihoda, Mark Prihoda and Carl Prihoda. Honorary pallbearers are Kaitlyn Prihoda, Bradley Prihoda, Michele Prihoda and Sandy Kunschick.
Memorials may be made to St. Michael Catholic Church or St. Michael Catholic School, P.O. Box 36, Weimar, TX 78962; Diocese of Victoria Seminary Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 4070, Victoria TX 77903; Swiss Alp United Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2038 FM-3171, Schulenburg, TX 78956; or the charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.