Tributes

The loving heart and soul of Louise A. Bronder born August 24, 1929 went peacefully to be with the Lord on August 27, 2015 at the age of 86. She is preceded in death by her husband Henry, her children Harry and Larry, sister Rose Pawelek Louis, brothers Jerome Moy, Vincent Moy Gladys and brother-in-law Ben Pawlik. She is survived by her son Thomas Bronder Francesca and daughters Martha Sampson and Mary Pawelek Bubba, sister Theresa Pawlik, brothers Gus Moy Evelyn, Joe Moy and sister-in-law Mary Moy; grandchildren Justin Jenny, Tyler, Amanda fiancé John, Bridget, Jarrett, Isabella, great grandchildren Jack Martin, Luke Henry, and Emma Jane. Louise's journey through life took her from the small farming and ranching community of Gillett, Texas to the bustling metropolitan city that is San Antonio. From cattle, chickens, cotton and many other crops, her path through life ended in a world of modern technology and conveniences, far removed from those days when everything was done by hand. The work she did was often hard and lengthy; however, family, friends and neighbors were always willing and eager to lend a helping hand. This spirit of hard and honest work, alone or with others, became ingrained in her character for the remainder of her long life. Although home and farm chores seemed a constant, monotonous burden, her joyful enthusiasm in their completion often brought a smile to even the weariest of laborers, particularly her six brothers and sisters. Finding refuge in the faith of her parents, Sundays became a welcomed day for prayer, family, food, relaxation and renewal. This joyful tradition also became a continuing legacy for her own family, and one that still brings comfort to each of us. With her limited, but highly prized eighth grade education, came the opportunity for employment off the farm, in bustling Karnes City. Her cheerful presence at the checkout counter of the "Speedy Peety" grocery store brought more friendships, many becoming life-long. In the spring of 1945, Louise would accompany her sister, Theresa, on a double date that would become a milestone in her life. With his shy, humble charm, Henry Bronder eventually swept Louise into a 62-year marriage that truly spanned the full spectrum of human emotions. From the tragic loss of the twins, Harry and Larry, shortly after their birth, to the joyful arrival of three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, their marriage will be honored and lovingly cherished for generations to come. Their union met an immediate challenge from the drought of the 1950's that forced them from their beloved farm near Kosciusko, Texas to the vast metropolis of San Antonio. Working as domestics, their joyful and efficient work ethic earned Henry a job at his employer's company, Lone Star Brewery, which provided them their own home near Brooks AFB in 1958. Louise found constant joy in her role of homemaker, not only for her family, but also for a myriad of working mothers with small children, and two very special, single, elderly professional women. Her warm, tender but firmly disciplined child-rearing manner resulted in generations of family members returning to her door with their own children to entrust into her loving arms. Despite her continuous baking, cooking, cleaning, sewing, washing, diaper-changing and weekly errands, Fridays would find her packing food and clothes for the entire family and often extra kids as they drove down to the beloved farm which was cared for mainly by Grandpa Stazke and Grandma Statka Bronder. These weekend adventures brought a broadened understanding of family, commitment and responsibility to all her children. As we, her children, grew older with families of our own, we could only marvel at the amount of effort these "fun" weekends required from someone who truly deserved the entire weekend off after a full week of before sunrise to after sunset work. For Louise, the farmhouse in the country was a connection to her roots. Her loving hands kept our little farmhouse clean, comfortable, and it was the focal point of fond memories with friends and family. These "spontaneously" planned visits resulted in exploratory adventures for the boys in the creeks and stock ponds surrounding the house, while the girls played house, dress up, and cared for their baby dolls. The ladies gathered in the kitchen for food preparation and animated discussions of current family events. The men relaxed after a hard day of manual labor in the field by cooking steaks or chicken over the coals of mesquite posts, that once formed our cattle/pig pens, while enjoying one or more Lone Star beers. These wonderful times provided a reflection of how farm life once united family and neighbors in a way that is sadly not so prevalent today. Only our amazing mother could have summoned the energy to make this an often repeated and treasured experience for her children. Only later in life could we truly appreciate the love she held in her heart for family, both past and present, reflected in these special social celebrations. As the years rolled along, we continued our routine of school, church, farm, and family. With Mom's firm management of feeding, clothing, and encouraging scholastic focus; and as we grew older and eventually moved on to families of our own, she remained that motherly presence for other children. Louise started out caring for neighborhood children after school. Before long, she welcomed infants into her home while their parents worked. Almost every infant remained until they were ready for pre-K or kindergarten. For many families, as one child was ready for school another child would be welcomed into Louise's home care. At some point, the children and parents nicknamed Louise, "Weezie," and that name stuck for the rest of her babysitting days. Her precious grandchildren were eventually included in this growing army of children that was a treasured blessing within her heart. Years after Henry retired from Lone Star Brewery, Louise cut back on the number of children that she cared for and eventually closed her doors for good. As her own children grew older and participated in many weekend activities, Henry would head to the farm by himself and Louise would clean house and wash clothes for two elderly ladies that she met quite by accident. Louise's loving personal care for these special elderly "employers" kindled a warm, comfortable family environment that carried them peacefully to the very end of their lives. Without the children to look after, with the passing of the elderly ladies, and with her own children married, Louise had only Henry to care for. As with everything in her life, Louise committed herself to his care as he became increasingly dependent due to his physical deterioration. With his passing in February 2014, Louise gradually ceased her life-long homemaking and care-giving routine and began to be increasingly affected by dementia that slowly took her from our world into one that was present only in her own beautiful mind. As the disease progressed, those things that most defined her very soul emerged to serve as the guideline for her daily routine. Under the loving and tender care of her constant caretakers, Trini, Diana, Elva, Beatrice, Belinda, Kim, Monica, Mary Lou and Haddie, Louise cared for her children as they ran, sometimes amuck, through the home of her mind. She sewed imaginary clothes, packed every possible object for our weekend trips to the farm, and continued to pray her rosary and read from her prayer book day and night. Every visit brought eventual recognition and the inevitable questioning about the status of her precious mother and Henry. Louise passed from our midst peacefully and beautifully, rejoining all her treasured and departed family members. Those of us left have a great emptiness within our hearts, but also a great fullness in our souls for the heavenly reward that she has received for her entire life of joyous, unselfish, and dignified work and service to those she loved. Her constant prayers will now have less distance to travel . . . her family is truly in good and loving hands. We have been blessed. Visitation on Thursday September 3, 2015 at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 5:00PM to 7:00PM. Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00PM. On Friday, September 4, 2015, viewing will begin at 9:30AM at St. Jerome Catholic Church followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30AM. Interment will follow at the St. Jerome Catholic Cemetery alongside her loving husband Henry. Donations may be made to San Juan Capistrano Catholic Church or the church of your choice on behalf of Louise Bronder.

Tributes

Louise Ann Bronder

August 24, 1929 - August 27, 2015