Leona Mary Shimek

Leona Mary Shimek   Leona Shimek, 89, of Wharton, Texas passed away on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at a Wharton care center. She was born on February 28, 1929, in Nada, Texas to the late Ignatz and Mary Prihoda Zbranek.   Leona was raised in the Nada area and attended Nada schools. On November 9, 1948, she married Jerome Shimek. He preceded her in death on March 23, 1990. Leona worked for Wharton ISD in the cafeteria for many years. She also enjoyed being a homemaker, cooking, baking, and visiting with her family. Leona and Jerome enjoyed playing cards and dominoes as well as traveling the United States. She was a faithful member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton for many years. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Carol Shimek; sisters, Lydia Fucik, and Albina Fajkus; and brother, Ben Zbranek.   Leona is survived by her loving sons, Jerry Shimek of Wharton, Ronnie Shimek and wife, Gayla of Boling, Bob Shimek and wife, Pris, of Wharton and Rick Shimek and wife, Donna, of Wharton; sisters, Edith Kainer and  Viola Kaluza, both of Nada; grandchildren, Amy Tabor and husband, James, Jill Otto and husband, Jason, Kyle Shimek, and Kelsey Folmar and husband, Kendan; great grandchildren, Abby Tabor, Kaitley Tabor, Avery Otto, and Eleanor Folmar; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.   Visitation will be held Friday, July 6, starting at 5:00 p.m. at Wharton Funeral Home, with a rosary recited at 7:00 p.m.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. an Saturday, July 7, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton with Father Bob Knippenberg officiating. The rite of committal and burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Wharton.   Pallbearers will be Ken Kainer, Jim Kainer, John Roach, Jim Roach, Ervin Fucik, Mel Fajkus, Gary Kaluza, Glen Kaluza, and Kyle Shimek. Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond Fucik, Kenny Roach, Amy Tabor, Jill Otto, and Kelsey Folmar.   Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.  Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com.