Vlasta Kaderka

Vlasta Helen Svehlak Kaderka of Austin passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side on July 23, 2021. Vlasta was born August 17, 1930 to August Svehlak and Annie Novak Svehlak in Granger, Texas and was the middle child of eleven. Her fondest memories were of her childhood with her parents and siblings Lillian, Agnes, Martha, Annie, Mary, Dorothy, Alice, August, Louis and Jody, on the farm, at the Granger dances on the cobblestone streets, or going to the Czech movies at the Granger theater.

Vlasta married and lived in and around Granger until 1967. Her four children were born in nearby Taylor. Until 1967, she continued working in the cotton fields and eventually began working a second job for the State of Texas. Around the home, she cooked, cleaned and sewed clothes for her family. She watched her two eldest children graduate from Granger High School. Vlasta and her family often got together with extended family and friends, whether visiting at one another’s home or a local swimming hole.

In 1967, Vlasta and her family moved to Austin, Texas, where she began a nearly 30 year career with the University of Texas and other jobs such as cleaning houses. Vlasta joined the St. Louis Catholic Church just a block away from her home and attended church there for over 50 years.

In her spare time, Vlasta could be found working in her yard. Ever the farm girl, she loved being outside and gardening. It was not unusual for a stranger to pull over and compliment her beautiful garden.  She also loved helping her daughters in and around their yards. There wasn’t anything Vlasta wouldn’t tackle, including changing the oil in her own car, mixing and pouring concrete for a storage building slab, or painting the inside or outside of her home.

Vlasta loved watching Texas Longhorns football and gambling trips with her family and friends. She leaves this world almost certainly having won more from the casinos than what she gave them. She also loved Christmastime and decorating every corner of her house and yard. She was so proud when her Christmas decorations were featured on the local news in Austin!

Vlasta’s greatest love was her family and any event that brought the family together. In her later years, she took trips to visit siblings and family in Granger and Taylor as well as Dallas and Oklahoma. She treasured each and every moment spent with family. In her last days, she talked of family members, especially her siblings. This gave peace to her family, as these were some of Vlasta’s fondest and most comforting memories.

Vlasta was preceded in death by her two sons, August John “Gus” Kaderka and Garry Wayne Kaderka. Siblings that predeceased her include Lillian Cervenka, Agnes Cervenka, Annie Vanek, Mary Ochoa, August Svehlak, Jr., Louis Svehlak and Jody Svehlak.

Vlasta is survived by her two daughters, Linda Kaderka Fisher and Connie Kaderka, both of Austin; sisters Martha Huff, Dorothy Adamek, and Alice Kubacak; nine grandchildren, Robert Fisher and wife Judy, Ryan Fisher, Jenna Sanders, Serena Kerr and husband Reese, Kelly Kaderka and wife Christina, Kylie Kaderka and husband Patrick Blume, Austin Kaderka and wife Krista, Myranda Kaderka, and Nekeisha Kaderka; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are grandsons Robert Fisher, Ryan Fisher, Kelly Kaderka and Austin Kaderka and godsons David Betak and Charlie Betak, Jr.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 27 at 6:00 p.m. with the rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Church services will be a Saints Cyril and Methodius in Granger, Texas at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 28, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery in Granger next to her beloved sons.

In lieu of flowers, Linda and Connie ask that you contribute to a charity of your choice.