“As the Lord has ordained, another beautiful flower from the greatest generation has faded into the sunset.”
Bernice Herzik, beloved mother, was summoned home by the Lord early Easter Sunday morning, April 4, 2021. She lived a long, fruitful life, having attained 95+ years of age. Bernice was a kind, compassionate and generous lady who loved the Lord, expressing her faith by her service to her church, her family and her fellowman. She was a longtime member of the K.J.Z.T. and St. Rose Altar Society. For several years she served as Eucharistic Minister, particularly to the homebound. She also performed other volunteer duties, including caring for the altar linens for church.
Bernice was born in Lavaca County on Oct. 9, 1925, to Felix and Anna Cerny Okruhlik. She grew up on the family farm approximately three miles south of Praha, where she and her sisters were expected to help with all the farm chores – picking cotton and corn; feeding the chickens, turkeys, and other animals; tending the gardens; etc. She and her siblings attended school at Novohrad, the little country school that they had to walk to and from every school day. Since 95 percent of the population in Praha’s rural area was Catholic, everyone belonged to Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. She and her husband, George Herzik, met in Praha and married there June 23, 1947. They lived on a farm about three miles east of Praha for a few years, and subsequently moved to Schulenburg.
Bernice Herzik is survived by three daughters, Linda (Steve) Kelly, Gloria Brumfield, and Diane (Lloyd) Goedrich. Six grandchildren – Jacob (Jenny) Kelly, Erika Goedrich, Kurt Goedrich, Stuart (Teresa) Goedrich, Neal (Laurie) Goedrich and Jordan (Andrea) Goedrich – also survive her. Eight greatgrandchildren are left to remember and mourn her. Also surviving is her sister, Rosemary Janak of Hallettsville, and sister-in-law, Leona Herzik of Praha, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband, George; her parents, Felix and Anna Okruhlik; brothers, Louis and Felix Jr.; five sisters, Emilynn (John) Harryman, Agnes (Ed) Grimes, Edith (Frank) Pinedo, Ann (Tony) Dornak and and Eleanora Okruhlik; son-in-law, Phil Brumfield; and grandson, Casey Brumfield.
Visitation, recitation of the rosary, and Mass of Christian Burial were held Saturday, April 10, 2021, with Rev. Tim Kosler officiating. Pallbearers were grandsons Jacob Kelly, Stuart Goedrich, Jordan Goedrich, Neal Goedrich and Kurt Goedrich, and nephew E.L. Moore. Interment followed at St. Rose Cemetery.
Funeral preparations, services, and burial were under the compassionate care and professional direction of Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home.
Bernice was a lady of many talents – she was an excellent cook; a meticulous seamstress; an avid gardener; and a willing and gracious volunteer for church and school activities. She will be remembered by her family as a cheerful, positive, and encouraging role model.