Evelyn M. Dornak
Evelyn M. Dornak, 83, peacefully passed away Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, surrounded by her family.
Evelyn was a 1956 graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic School. She took pride in sending her four children to Sacred Heart School and enjoyed watching some of her grandchildren and current great-grandchildren attend the school as well.
She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, The Catholic Daughters of the Americas and The Christian Mother’s Society and lived her faith through service to others.
On Oct. 4, 1958 she married the love of her life, Thomas “Tommy” Dornak,.
They made their home in Hallettsville where she began her career working various office jobs. She worked for the Lavaca County Rural School Districts for several years and then transitioned to the Lavaca County District Clerk’s Office until her retirement.
Her retirement years were spent helping Tommy with their cattle, growing their large garden, canning, baking her amazing Oatmeal Cookies and Dewberry Kolaches. There is nothing she loved more than baby-sitting her great-grandchildren. She was often quoted to say “Look what we created, with all these kids, grandkids and babies.” She took great pride in the successes of her seven grandchildren. Many prayers and phone calls were had as each one graduated with a successful college degree and continued making their mark in this current crazy life.
She was her kid’s, grandkid’s, and great-grandkid’s biggest fan. She enjoyed teaching them to drive their trusty Kubota in the pasture as youngsters and then as they all grew up, she’d often be calling to come pick up a fresh kolache, pigs in the blanket or her famous pea soup. No matter how she was feeling or what the weather was like, you could always find her in the front row of their sporting events, graduations or any activity they were involved in.
She kept her living room and front yard decorated with the latest seasonal décor. The Easter bunnies, Halloween scare crows and her famous array of Christmas Bears were some of the absolute favorites. She truly enjoyed being with and around her family.
She was a surrogate grandmother to many kids that she baby sat over the years. Any young man who ever helped in picking pecans, hauling hay or working cattle were treated as family. She had a big heart for repaying them not just with a paycheck but with a big meal, plenty to drink and a strong appreciation for their help. She always made sure no one who visited left empty-handed.
She and Tommy were always ready to lend a helping hand wherever needed. They led many grand marches throughout the years for young married couples.
They built a legacy through their faith in God that their family will always remember and carry on. As the years went on she stood true to her Catholic beliefs and could always be found with her Mother’s Love book close by as her and Popo sat in their respective recliners. Schotzee her puppy was always near or on her lap and their TV rotated between EWTN, Big Joe’s Polka Show or Mollie B. Even during the Covid pandemic, she never missed a Sunday Mass. Countless prayers were said for her grandchildren’s college tests or even her great- grandchildren’s spelling and math tests. The book’s edges, her rosary and her hard working hands were never far apart from each other. Popo Tommy once joked that they may have to place a cross above the house since she was trying to become a nun.
We, her family, are at peace knowing she is now rejoined with Jesus and her immediate family who have gone before her. We will start each year celebrating her birthday and will enjoy a fresh dewberry pie each spring. We can imagine the summer and fall days will be spent praying to her to send us rain and the Christmas season will bring much joy picking out a special Christmas bear. We will miss her terribly, but her legacy will live on through each and every one of us.
Survivors include her husband, Tommy of 64 years, her sons, Larry (Donna); Garry (Geraldine); Randall (Melissa), all of Hallettsville and daughter, Lisa Glover (Chris) of Philadelphia, Penn.; grandchildren include, Cody James Dornak (Jamie); Courtney Dornak Perez (Randy Ray); Holly Dornak Haas (Jeremy); Ashley Dornak Rainosek (Keith); Tori Dornak, Kelley and Keith Glover; Madison (TJ Bell); Austin and Hudson Kutac; great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Adyson, Zachary and Caden Perez; Julie, Jordyn and Jaxson Haas; Tynlie Rainosek; Asher Bell, and soon to be great-grandchild, baby Dornak.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Victor B. Steffek; sister, Anita Pesek, and daughter-in-law, Pam Dornak.
Rosary was recited at 2:30 p.m. and was immediately followed by a Funeral Mass at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville.
A private burial will follow at a later date.
Memorials may be given to Sacred Heart Catholic School or charity of donor’s choice