Dolores (Kahlich) Guenther Vacek
Dolores (Kahlich) Guenther Vacek, 95 of La Grange, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.
Dolores was born to Alfred and Emma Kahlich on Dec. 19, 1928.
She attended St. Rose Catholic School. After graduating 8th grade in 1942, she attended Schulenburg High School, graduating in 1946 and started working at First National Bank in Schulenburg.
On April 10, 1948, she married Frank J. Guenther Jr. and moved to La Grange where they lived on the Guenther farm for 10 years during which time they were blessed with their first four children. In 1960 they moved into town and in 1969 were blessed with their fifth child.
Dolores and Frank were married for 37 years, enjoying life with their children, raising cattle and hay on the Guenther farm, managing Guenther Flying Service and later Guenther Communications and rental lots.
Frank passed away in May of 1985.
Dolores was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange from 1960 until her passing and was faithfully involved in the church and community. She served as president of Sacred Heart School PTC, president of Sacred Heart Altar Society, chairman of funeral dinners, served on the Sacred Heart Church Board, and was a member of the Austin diocesan council of Catholic women and the Catholic Life Insurance Union. She became a member of Trinity Hill Home Demonstration Club in 1954 and served as president and delegate to the Home Demonstration Council.
Dolores was particularly fond of her time spent serving with the CDA and Second Chance Emporium. She joined the Catholic Daughters of the America’s, Court Annunciation #1962 and served as Regent and District Deputy, attending many state conventions over the years. She also served on the founding board of Second Chance Emporium and volunteered there from 1996-2016.
In 1998, Dolores reconnected with a former classmate, Edwin Vacek and a beautiful romance blossomed. They were married on Dec. 6, 2000, and enjoyed 22 years together until Ed’s passing in December of 2022.
Dolores is survived by her sister, Bernice Kahlich Havel and husband, Alvin Joe of Schulenburg; children, son, Philip Guenther and wife, Kathy Guenther of Moravia; son, Thomas Guenther and wife, Frances Guenther of La Grange; daughter, Judy Franke and husband, Larry Franke of Cypress; son, James “Jim” Guenther and wife, Joanna Guenther of Marble Falls; daughter, Annette Guenther of La Grange; stepchildren, Suzanne Housewright, Mike Vacek and Debbie Martin; 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Emma Kahlich; first husband, Frank J. Guenther Jr. and his parents, Dr. Frank J. Guenther and Antoinette Guenther; second husband, Edwin Vacek, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family received friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.
Rosary was recited at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 22 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange, and celebration of the Funeral Mass followed at 11 a.m.
Burial followed at the La Grange City Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were Chris Franke, Matthew Guenther, Kyle Guenther, Jason Guenther, Jack Guenther and Josh Guenther.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations in La Grange.