Shirley A. Pyka, 89, of Wharton, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2026, at El Campo Memorial Hospital. She was born on November 17, 1936, in Hallettsville, Texas, to the late Magnus and Hertha Boethel Botard.

Raised near Hallettsville, Shirley attended school there. She married August Pyka on October 8, 1957. He preceded her in death on January 6, 2016. Shirley worked for Perry’s Dime store in Wharton and worked at Wharton County Junior College in the mail center. Shirley enjoyed going to her church, Holy Family Catholic Church in Wharton, along with looking at catalogs, shopping and Bingo. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Joyce Schultz, and brothers Marvin and Bobby Botard.

She is survived by her daughters Sharon Vanderbur and husband, Steve of Canyon Lake, Karen Schulz and husband, Jim of Wharton along with grandchildren, Chad Schulz and wife, Allyson and Jeremy Schulz and wife, Erin; and great grandchildren, June, Wren, Kase, Joaquin and Elias.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, after 1 pm, funeral services at 2 pm at the Chapel of Wharton Funeral Home in Wharton with burial following at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Wharton.

Funeral Services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at whartonfunertalhome.com.