Carole Pierce Trojcak
Carole Pierce Trojcak, 85, of Shiner, Texas passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
Carole was born September 1, 1937, in Ozark, Arkansas to E.R. and Lula Melton Pierce, two minutes after her twin brother Harold. She was the ninth child of her mother, and the baby of the family. Her mom told her she put the “e” on her first name, because she thought it was more feminine.
Carole lived in the country near Ozark, Arkansas, until the age of ten. She moved a number of times in her young life, raised primarily by her mother Lula and her oldest siblings, ultimately ending up in Kansas City, Missouri. It was there, at the age of 15, Carole was diagnosed with a hole in her heart and was one of the first recipients of open-heart surgery in the country. At the time, the doctors advised that she would not likely be able to survive childbirth or live past the age of 35 due to her weak heart. She ultimately proved them all wrong, with a will and strength she no doubt gained from her strong-willed mother. Carole worked at a large retail store in downtown Kansas City during her high school years and graduated in 1955 from Northeast High School.
After graduation, she spent a couple of years attending college in Dodge City, Kansas, and then at the University of Arkansas, but finances were scarce in those days and Carole came back to Kansas City and acquired a job at a large independent insurance agency.
It was during this time that she met her future husband, Shirley A. Trojcak. She had gone to a club with her girlfriends, and Shirley was at the club with his friends. After much persuasion from her friends and Shirley, she finally agreed to give him her phone number. Shirley always said he saw Carole in the crowd, pointed to her and said, “that’s her, she’s the one!” He was a Texan but had been transferred to Kansas City on a training program for six months at Phillips Petroleum Company.
Carole married Shirley A. Trojcak on February 1, 1959, in Kansas City, MO.
On February 1, 2019, Shirley and Carole celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with much celebration and fanfare, and most recently celebrated 64 years together with a small gathering in Moulton. They consider their biggest accomplishment as their three children, Kenneth, LouAnn & Kevin, and maintaining and managing Shirley’s birthplace home and property in Shiner, Texas. It brought Carole great joy to spend time with, and watch her grandchildren grow up, and she marveled at their accomplishments, big and small.
Carole is survived by her adoring family, husband of 64 years, Shirley A. Trojcak of Shiner, daughter, Lou Ann Micucci (Michael) of Larkspur, CA, sons, Kenneth Trojcak (Jo Ann) of Shiner, Kevin Trojcak of Missouri City, TX, grandchildren, Taylor Pulliam (Melissa), Rebecca Salas (Christian), Isabella Micucci, Katie Lou Micucci, Sarah McKay (Brent) and John Hanschew, great-grandchildren, Ethan, Mason, Madeline, Beaux and Wes. Carole is also survived by one sister in Columbia, Missouri and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. All of whom she loved dearly.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm Friday, February 17, 2023, in Shiner Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held at 2 pm Saturday, February 18, 2023, in Shiner Funeral Home with Chaplain C.J. Walker officiating.
Interment will follow in the Shiner City Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Michael Micucci, John Hanschew, John Thornberry, Dwight Bertram, and Taylor Pulliam.
Honorary pallbearers: Billy Fedorko, and Cole Patchell.
Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.shinerfuneralhome.com.
Memorials may be made to the Humane Society or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Services are under the care and direction of Shiner Funeral Home.