Lois Pilat Dierschke

Lois Pilat Dierschke, 81, of Shiner, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Born on November 17, 1944, in Shiner to Charles and Victoria Janak Motal, she was given the name Aloisia Rita Motal. Lois spent her childhood on the family farm in Wied, where she learned the values of hard work, responsibility, and faith. 
She attended Wied School before transferring to St. Ludmila Academy in Shiner, and later graduated from St. Joseph High School in Yoakum after her family moved to Sweet Home.
Growing up, Lois helped care for her younger siblings and often shared stories of picking cotton, working on the farm, and beginning school speaking only Czech. Her strong Catholic upbringing shaped a lifetime devoted to faith, family, and serving others.
After high school, Lois worked as a housekeeper and cook for the Valenta family in Sweet Home. She later met Pete Pilat through her sister, Anita, and they were married on July 7, 1962, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Together they farmed near Shiner, raising cotton, corn, milo, and livestock while building a loving home and raising seven children.
Lois dedicated her life to her family, taking great pride in seeing all seven of her children graduate from Shiner Catholic Schools. She was an exceptional homemaker, known for her cooking, baking, gardening, canning, and generous hospitality. 
Whether caring for her family or quietly helping neighbors in need, she was a source of kindness and compassion to everyone around her.
She cherished lifelong friendships and enjoyed polka dances, domino and card games, creek picnics, and time spent with family and friends. As her family grew, she embraced being “Grandma Pilat,” “Memaw,” “Meme,” “GG,” and many other cherished names. 
She loved photographing family gatherings and proudly shared pictures of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
After her children were grown, Lois worked in home health care, the Shiner Catholic School cafeteria, Tandy Brands, and several other positions before retiring.
Following the unexpected loss of Pete in 2008 after 46 years of marriage, Lois continued to live her faith through daily Mass, Adoration, prayer groups, church cleaning, serving as a Eucharistic Minister at the Shiner Nursing Home, and singing Czech hymns with the St. Cecilia Choir.
In 2014, she married Ronnie Dierschke after the two met through a prayer group. Together they shared a love of gardening, cooking, canning, attending daily Mass, and spending time with family. They faithfully cared for one another throughout their years together.
Lois was a devoted member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Paul No. 1604, KJZT Wied Society No. 53, SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
She is survived by her loving husband, Ronnie Dierschke; daughter, Lori Duke and husband Joel; sons, Michael Pilat, Paul Pilat and wife Debra, Mark Pilat and wife Melissa, Philip Pilat, and Stephen Pilat and wife Darla; 19 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; sisters, Josephine Machacek and Barbara Jenkins and husband Johnny; brothers, Charles Motal and wife Joyce, Daniel Motal and wife Bernice, and Robert Motal and wife Susan; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and dear friends. 
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Pete Pilat; her parents; her beloved son, Jason Pilat; and her sister, Anita Schulte.
The family received friends from 5 - 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9 at Shiner Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary at 7 p.m. 
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, July 10 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, with the Rev. Aaron Padilla officiating. 
Interment followed at Shiner Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shiner Catholic School or the St. Nicholas Society. 
Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.shinerfuneralhome.com. 
Services are under the care and direction of Shiner Funeral Home.