Bernice Vrana Pokluda passed away on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 peacefully at her home in Schulenburg with family by her side.
Bernice was born May 10, 1947 to Charlie, Sr. and Emma Vrana. She grew up working very hard raising her seven younger siblings after her father passed away at the age of 39. Bernice had to quit school to help cook homemade molasses, work the dairy, process quart firewood, haul hay for surrounding farms, pick cotton, and all other hard-life duties to help support the family.
She met her husband of 54 years, Alphonse Pokluda, while working at Cozy Café and married on April 20, 1968. After marriage, they moved to Schulenburg where Bernice worked as a homemaker, janitor for the Schulenburg Sticker, and assembled wire baskets for Texas Wireworks and Prime Industries. She enjoyed baking and decorating cakes for several celebrations after attending a cake decorating class in Hallettsville. She was so proud of this certification, as if she finally received her high school diploma. Bernice loved to garden, tending multiple gardens at one time. She loved canning her homegrown vegetables and generously sharing with all family and friends. Her favorite pastime was quilting with her mother and attending local quilt shows. Bernice loved spending time with family and most especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bernice was a stellar role model for her children. She always worked very hard, sacrificed for others, and was a faithful follower of Jesus.
She is predeceased by her daughter, Marcia Pokulda; her parents, Charlie Sr. and Emma Vrana; her brother, Leroy Vrana; her brothers-in-law, Robert Schaefer and Allen Wiedemann; her nephew, Kenneth Pokluda; and her niece, Allison Vrana.
Bernice is survived by her husband, Alphonse Pokluda of Schulenburg; her daughters, Theresa Pavlica and husband Michael of Flatonia, Deborah Friedrich and husband Ewald Jr. of Weimar, and Monica Pflughaupt and husband Lee of Houston; and her son, Richard Pokluda and wife Kristin of Whitesboro. Her surviving grandchildren include Janice Kristynik and husband Kyle, Brandon Pavlica and wife Mackenzie, Justin Pavlica and fiancé Rebecca, Macy Friedrich, Madison Pokluda, Megan Pfulghaupt and Evan Pflughaupt. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren Emily, Aubrey, and Noah Kristynik and Reese Pavlica, along with her six younger siblings and their spouses, two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law and their spouses, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Schulenburg with burial to follow at St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery in Praha. Visitation will take place Friday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. at Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home in Schulenburg with the Rosary to follow at 7 p.m. officiated by Rev. Jasper Liggio.
Pallbearers are Brandon Pavlica, Justin Pavlica, Kyle Kristynik, Evan Pflughaupt, Randy Vrana and Steven Wiedemann. Honorary pallbearers are Janice Kristynik, Macy Friedrich, Madison Pokulda, and Megan Pflughaupt; Emily, Aubrey and Noah Kristynik and Reese Pavlica.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Heart Association and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.