“When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me”. Erma Bombeck said this but it is absolutely my MOM! My warrior mom and her beautiful bright light that emanated from her is now in the arms of Jesus! Her first day on earth was November 21, 1931 - her last day was January 28, 2026. 94 years of life fully lived! She had a spirit of boldness, kindness, never give up, and of so much love – for everyone. She lived her motto of – It is not hard to be nice to nice people. Mom was a lifelong follower of Jesus and his saving grace!
Mom’s bright shining light was extinguished on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Her life fully lived on earth now over. But her new life in the arms of Jesus and in heaven is just beginning. Along with the heavenly reunion with Aunt Ruby, Granny & Grandaddy, Aunt Waldine, Debbie, the 2 children she miscarried and lots and lots of people who loved her. Plus her special pup Baby who met her at the rainbow bridge.
People of all ages were drawn to mom’s bright beautiful light that emanated from within her. She had friends of all ages and was filled with God’s love – it poured out of her into anyone nearby. Even in the last days of her life to the lady at San Angelo Nursing and Rehab who mopped the floors in mom’s room – she turned to me and said your mom is so sweet – she thanked me for cleaning her room and blew me a kiss.
THE DASH – the time between when you were born and when you die. Mom’s DASH was 94 years! Mother was born in Victoria, Texas on November 21, 1931 during the height of the depression. She told the story of how the soles of her daddy’s shoes were worn through from him walking and walking and walking trying to find work so he could feed his family. Mom said she realized later that there were many times her mom went without food so she and her 2 sisters could eat. They were starving but they did not know it.. “we were poor and just thought everyone was poor”.
Mom was a singer, songwriter, accordion player, piano and keyboard player. Music was a big part of mom’s life from the time she was a little girl. They lived on the Brosig ranch in Paint Rock and would go camping along the Concho River. Mom and her sister Ruby would sing. Soon there were boats coming along the river to listen to them sing. Mom won a yodeling contest when she was 5. Mom and Aunt Ruby won a singing contest at Texas Theater when they were very young – singing “Don’t fence me in.”
Mom learned to play the accordion at a very young age. Later in life, mom and her sister, Ruby formed the twosome “The Squeezebox Sisters”. They played their accordions at various functions, nursing homes, weddings, etc around the state and people still remember them even though they have not been a twosome since Ruby passed away in 1999. Bob Phillips with Texas Country Reporter did a story on the two of them filmed at Ruby’s house.
Mom was the post it note Queen. She had post it notes all over the dash of her car and in the house. One day when she arrived home and got out of the car, Jim came to help. He found a post it note on the ground that said Get Out of Car. He laughingly told her it’s pretty sad that you need a note to remind yourself to get out of the car. Mom said she had attached to something she needed to take out of the car.
Mom was all about her hair, her nails and always looking her absolute best. She was a beautiful woman. When she was in the ER after breaking her hip and laying on the bed – she looked at me asked if her hair looked okay – I told it looked great. During her stay in the hospital and then at San Angelo Nursing and Rehab – almost everyone commented on her curls and how nice her hair looked and how nice her nails were with the hearts on her 4th finger. No one could believe that she was 94.
My mother was a warrior. God broke the mold when He made her. She was shot in the leg at 19. Mom was in sales during the 1960’s when mothers stayed at home.
Was proudest and cherished her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Maintained grades so good at Lowake School she skipped 3rd grade to 4th grade.
Contestant for Mrs. Senior San Angelo & Mrs. Senior Texas in Dallas (3rd runner up).
Assistant Sales Mgr at Connie’s Dress Shop.
Worked at Hemphill Wells in lingerie.
Model of fur coats for Hemphill Wells.
Grand Regent Catholic Daughters at Wall, TX .
Managed Office at Hoelscher Gin.
Took Dale Carnegie course in Los Angeles.
Earned GED.
Taught CCD classes St. Ambrose Wall, TX.
Wrote San Angelo Waltz at 18 and recorded it 72 years later at the age of 90.
Stage IV colon cancer survivor for 20 + years
Closer for my presentations about blood donation with a song she wrote about blood donation & being a cancer survivor.
Folded tens of thousands of blood donor tshirts for United Blood Services/Vitalant
Mom is survived by her children Steven Kadlacek (Diane) and Linda Grace (Darrell Freeman). Grandchildren Cory Kadlacek (Lisa) and Nicholas Kadlacek (Stasey), Cayla Freeman, Tyler Freeman, Megan Green (Skyler) great grandchildren: Colton Kadlacek, Alyssa Kadlacek, Hadley Kadlacek, Laryn Green, Layton Green & Landry Green. Many nieces and Nephews and their extended families. Mom was preceded in death by her parents Paul & Alma Menke, her sisters Ruby Schwartz and Waldine Benton, niece Debbie Counts, Louis Kadlacek, Jim Presley and Alex Wyatt.
Viewing with family is Sunday, February 1st from 1pm – 3pm. Celebration of her life at 3pm. Harper Funeral Home. Condolences can be made online. Mom loved flowers & butterflies! So either send flowers or plant some flower seeds this spring in her honor!
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