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Esther Rita Jarzombek was born July 13, 1930 in Falls City, TX to Benjamin Theodore and Theresa Gwosdz Pawelek; the third daughter of four children. They were a farming family; enjoying basic provisions, each having responsibilities for the house, each other, the animals and crops. Family relationships and gatherings were important. Later as an adult, Sunday visits with parents would become routine. Perhaps life in the post-Depression days attributed to her attitude ‘nothing was ever to be thrown away: gadgets, appliances, furniture had potential of being salvaged and restored. “You’re poor only when you don’t have it!” Since early school days, classmates teased her about her first name so for most of her life, family and friends addressed her as ‘Rita.’ Circumstances and academic challenges discouraged her from continuing with high school (10th grade) so she pursued housekeeping, providing child care, and eventually assisting with nursing duties in Kenedy, TX. She married Chester I. Jarzombek of Cestochowa, TX on June 17, 1951 in Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Falls City, Texas. The couple relocated to San Antonio, TX where Chester was employed with Pearl Brewery; Esther was the faithful, dependable, resourceful housewife. Blessed with two sons – Dennis Anthony and Keith Alan – providing Catholic education was a high priority that required much sacrifice of time, energy, and treasure. Seldom would she be absent for PTC meetings, field trips, or being a sponsor for classroom activities. Moreover, Esther successfully pursued her G.E.D. and became waivered as a Licensed Vocational Nurse employed at Southeast Baptist Hospital. For the family, food dishes were never fancy – but basic, good tasting, and of hefty servings. Birthdays and holidays were made extra special with her cookies, cakes, candies and pies. Lots of love was in her hands when sewing, mending, crocheting, growing plants and chauffeuring . Music and dance were in her soul but only allowed the pleasure of expression on an occasional wedding reception or church festival. Travel was seldom outside the counties of Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Guadalupe. Anticipated three-day vacations to the coast were traded for weekly opportunities with her husband to develop acreage west of Falls City, TX. Throughout her life, mom has been associated with the church Altar Societies of St. Margaret Mary’s and St. Benedicts, Central Catholic High School, the Assumption Seminary Parents’ Club, and Catholic Daughters of America. In October 2015, Esther experienced a stroke while hosting a Family Reunion of Emanuel and Anna Gwosdz. She made a quick recovery but just as quick vertigo became the culprit restricting her personal independence and relocating her residence to John Paul II Nursing Home where she died in the early evening of Sunday, December 27, 2020. Esther is preceded in death by her parents, husband of 48 years Chester, brother: Benjamin Pawelek, sister: Katherine P. Kroll and brothers-in-law Otto Kroll and Edward Soberoski Sr. niece Carolyn Leonard, nephew Tomy Kroll, great niece Tammy Deininger. She is survived by her children; the Reverend Dennis Jarzombek (presbyter for the Archdiocese of San Antonio) and Keith Jarzombek (JoAnn) of Falls City, TX, grandchildren Rhonda Franke (Brian) of Karnes City, TX and Brittany Huff (Ryan) of Falls City, TX. great-grandchildren Madison, Waylon, & Barrett Franke. Rita’s only living sister – Mrs. Bernadine Soberoski – resides with her daughter Theresa Sobersoki outside Floresville, TX. Bernadine’s son, Edward (Susie) Sobersoki resides in Hattiesburg, MS. Sister-in-law, Mrs. Betty Pawelek, resides in Falls City, TX. She and her husband Benjamin of happy memory bore six children; four nieces and two nephews. Rita is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews through her husband’s now-deceased siblings: Vincent (Elizabeth), Ben (Eleanor), Leo (Alice), and Archie (Almarene) Jarzombek as well as Mrs Leocadia (Joe) Rakowitz. An hour of public visitation (observing all COVID-19 protocols), is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM in Holy Trinity Catholic Church – Falls City, TX on Friday, January 8, 2021 followed immediately by the funeral mass with interment at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery.

Tributes

Esther Rita Jarzombek

July 13, 1930 - December 27, 2020