Betty Kocian

Elizabeth Agnes (Patek) Kocian, 98, of Shiner, joined her heavenly family on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. 
She was born on March 7, 1926 in Shiner, to Charles and Elizabeth (Veit) Patek. “Betty” as most people knew her, was a lifelong member of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church and attended St. Ludmila’s Academy until graduation. 
She attended St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Houston to further her education. During this time, she also worked on airplane wings during the World War II “Rosie the Riveter” campaign. 
On February 4, 1947, Betty married Benedict G. Kocian Sr. They made their home in Shiner, and were blessed with eight children, 18 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, whom they loved and cherished. Betty was a self-reliant, strong-willed nature but very loving and caring. 
She was member of KJZT, VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and was strongly devoted to God and her Catholic faith, with daily prayers, especially daily rosary devotions. Betty was resourceful and lived by “If there’s a will, there’s a way” attitude which served her well throughout her lifetime. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing her children’s clothes sometimes even without a pattern, and had a gift of how to wallpaper her home & do home repairs long before YouTube, Google or AI. 
Highlights in her life were when she would host beautiful celebrations for her beloved family each Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, which included a feast of delicious foods and her most delectable kolaches, braided breads and cheese rolls. Large family gatherings, Czech conversations and polka music were dear to her heart. Betty enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, flying to Chicago, attending her granddaughter Brenda’s graduation from the Navy and witnessing her granddaughter, Amanda, get married in Hawaii. 
Her favorite pastimes were working in her beautiful yard, playing bingo and dominoes with family and friends. Her early nursing school experiences equipped her to care for her parents, work with home health patients, nursing homes , and eventually her ailing husband. After relocating to the Shiner Nursing Home as a resident, she found many ways to care for her friends and staff whom she had come to love.
Survivors include two sons, Patrick Kocian (Debbie) of LaGrange and Robert Kocian of Sandia; four daughters, Carolyn Hewig of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Marilyn Jahn (Daniel), Rose Ann Raab (Allen), all of Shiner, Pam O’Connor (Scott) of Richmond; son-in-law, Michael Miculka; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Mayer Kocian; 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren; brother, Dennis Patek (Mary); sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Patek (August), Beatrice Patek (Rudy); numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Ben Kocian Sr.; son, Ben Kocian Jr.; daughter, Betty Jean Miculka; her parents; grandsons, Dale Kocian and Michael Kocian; sister, Helen Matula; and brothers, Victor Patek, Charles Patek Jr., August Patek and Rudy Patek.
Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday, January 23 with Rosary to be recited at 6 p.m. at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Friday, January 24 at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, with the Rev. Bryan Heyer officiating. 
Burial will follow at Shiner Catholic Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home, Yoakum. 361-293-5656.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Texas or Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.