Hortense Claudia Svehlak

Hortense Claudia Polasek Svehlak, 87, of Granger, Texas, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2017 at the Taylor SPJST Rehabilitation Center. She was born December 23, 1929 in Schwertner, Texas, to Rudolph and Hattie Beyer Polasek. On October 21, 1947, she married August Svehlak Jr. Their lives were blessed with four children. Hortense was a loving and faithful wife, mother, nana and great nana. She was a dedicated devout Catholic strong in her Christian faith. During her lifetime, she dedicated her life to her family and friends. She worked alongside her husband farming and traveled with him to the West Texas area to work in offices of cotton gins.

In addition, she worked in the office of John’s Community Hospital for over 38 years. After retirement, she worked in the Granger Post Office for three years. She enjoyed baking her sweet rolls (buchtas) for family and friends. Her family relishes the memory of her fried chicken, turkey and dressing and her wonderful desserts. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with the Granger Roadrunners and taking numerous trips to many foreign countries with family and friends. In addition, she never missed an opportunity to travel to casinos and loved to play bunko with her friends.

Hortense is preceded in death by her parents, her husband August Svehlak Jr., her grandson Brent Svehlak and her brother Alray Polasek.

She is survived by her children, James and Tracie Svehlak of Round Rock, Augie and Terry Svehlak of Granger, Larry and Marie Svehlak of Taylor and Sharon and Dale Bunge of Granger and her grandchildren Darrin Svehlak and Frank Palasota, Brandi and Ryan Tull, Tara and Travis Huber, Jordan Svehlak, Megan Bunge, Kyle and Sarah Loving and Tana Smith. Her great grandchildren include Abby, Tripp and Jase Tull, Brynley and Parker Huber, and Syanne Smith. She is also survived by her brother Jerry and Bessie Polasek of Katy, Texas.

The family would like to thank Doctor Mahale and all the doctors, nurses, aids, and physical therapists that took such excellent care of her at Scott & White, Round Rock, and the SPJST Rehabilitation Center in Taylor.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 27, 2017 from 6 to 8 pm at Providence Funeral Home, Taylor, with the rosary recited at 7 pm.

Celebration of life funeral Mass will be Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at 10 am at SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Granger with the burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Granger.