Council #2917
God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.
Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.
In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.
Amen.
Let us pray:
Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, and all the souls of the faithful departed; through the Mercy of God, Rest in Peace in company with Christ and may they rejoice in your Kingdom. AMEN
Virginia Gregory Kallus, age 75, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 at her home in Houston surrounded by her loving family. After suffering for years from a degenerative nerve condition that slowly
took away her mobility, it was unexpected complications from COPD that led to her passing from this world. Ginger, as she was known by all, was born in the Heights area of Houston on Dec. 8, 1947 to parents Leon
Gregory and Esthera (Twardowski) Gregory. Ginger grew up in a large, loving Polish family and was the oldest of 6 siblings followed in order of age by her brother, Brother Knight Dennis Gregory, sisters Martha Koch
(Tusha), Leona Kuzma (Ona), Rosemary Wisnoski (Coco), and Thomas Gregory. Ginger attended Reagan High School and loved to go dancing, eventually meeting her future husband Brother Knight Dennis Kallus
at Sixth Street Dance Hall. Dennis and Ginger married on April 19, 1969 at All Saints Catholic Church and had 3 sons: Daniel, Stephen and David. Ginger’s lifetime vocation was raising her 3 sons and eventually helping
to raise her 6 grandchildren: Cameron Kallus (Camie), Eva Kallus (Skeebs), Noelle Kallus, Drew Kallus, Aaron Kallus, and Juliet Kallus. In addition to dancing waltzes and polkas, Ginger loved to travel, she
enjoyed watching all her kids and grandkids play sports. She loved to cheer on the Houston Astros, loved to watch movies and read books.
Lora Ann Radack Hansen, beloved wife of the late Brother Knight James N. Hansen, mother to three, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend to many, died peacefully on March 1, 2023. Lora Ann
was born to the late William Joseph and Ruth (Hesch) Radack in Titusville, PA on July 18th, 1934. Surviving are her children: Cynthia (Cindy) Messina and husband Joe, Steven Hansen (Annetta), and Robert (Bob) Hansen. Grandchildren: Joseph Messina, Jr. (Micheli), James Messina, Steven Hansen, Jr. (Lori), Michael Hansen (Brittany, Robert Hansen II (Mandy), and Brittney Humbird (Travis) and 14 great grandchildren. Lora was an accomplished pianist from a young age. She was a 1952 graduate of Jamestown High School. Lora married the love of her life, Jim on May 7, 1955 after Jim's basic training. After moving to Houston, she worked for many years as a secretary for St. Ambrose Catholic Church. She also loved bowling in the Knights of Columbus Council 2917 bowling League which she and Jim were members of for many years. Lora was predeceased in death by her husband, her parents, and three brothers Jim, Frank, and John. Lora's presence brought warmth to any room. She touched the lives of many, and will be missed dearly by family and many friends.
Brother Knight Royce Edward Harper passed away peacefully on April 22, 2023. He was born on August 10, 1955 and was preceded in death by his parents, Edwina (Dene) Harper and Paul Harper and his mother and father in law, Eugene and Helen Bujnoch. Royce is survived by his wife of 45.9 years, Cynthia Bujnoch Harper, son Brent Harper and wife Tasha and his daughter, Jenna Barcelo and husband John. Grandchildren
Colt and Cody Barcelo and Noah Gossett. He is also survived by his brother Lester (Butch) Hoffart, Jr. and wife Elaine. His brother and sister in law, Eugene Jim Bujnoch and wife Lisa. Royce was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and a lifelong member of Knights of Columbus #2917. Royce fulfilled his dream of becoming a Houston Fire Fighter graduating from the academy in November 1979. He was quickly assigned to Station 5 in Spring Branch which became his second home until his retirement in 2010. Royce enjoyed weekends in the country with his children and grandchildren frying catfish or one of his other specialties of back strap, chicken noodle soup or chili but mainly giving unwanted advice and supervising all the projects. He will be fondly remembered for his quick wit and unfavorable opinions.
Dennis Joseph Storemski, 76, died on Friday, April 14, at his home in Houston with his family at hand. He will be greatly missed by Barbara Storemski, his loving wife of 57 years, and their children, grandchildren,
nieces, nephews and in-laws. Born on Houston’s northside on August 20, 1946, Storemski attended Sam Houston H.S., graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Criminal Justice. He served 38 years with the Houston Police Department, rising through the ranks and retiring as Executive Assistant Chief in 2004. Dennis was a parishioner and ubiquitous presence at Prince of Peace
Catholic Community, where he served as an extraordinary minister and lector, and a board member at the Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center. Professionally, he was a colleague and mentor to generations of
Houston’s law enforcement community. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Felix Storemski, brother Leon Storemski and nephew Michael Storemski. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in -law Brother Knight Gary and Susan Storemski of Houston and their children, Lilli and Kyle Storemski; Craig and Annette Storemski of Katy and their children, Jacob and Noah Storemski; James and Gina
Storemski of Spring and their children, Joseph, Isabella and Xavier Storemski; and daughter and son-in-law Jennifer Storemski and Nathaniel Hobbs of Coverack, England, and their children, Ada and Ezra
Hobbs. He is also survived by his brother, Brother Knight Wilbert and wife, Joan Storemski in Missouri City; sister-in-law Margaret Storemski in Kingwood; and many nieces, nephews and other in-laws.
Dian Marie Duoto, born Sept. 20, 1946 in Yoakum, TX to Irene and O.P. McMurrey, died peacefully on Feb. 28, 2023 in Houston, TX. Dian is the wife of Brother Knight Mike Duoto. Dian and Mike helped to get the Divine Mercy portraits to all the Catholic Churches in the Houston area. Mike had visited the home of his friend, Mr. Provenzano, and saw a portrait of the Divine Mercy hanging in his office. He took Dian to see the portrait and from that moment they were involved. Mr. Provenzano had portraits made and Dian called every church in the Houston area to offer this donation. Dian and Mike, along with their friend, Mr. Provenzano, delivered the portraits to the churches as a tribute to his wife who passed away shortly after the project began. Dian was a fighter. Cancer was no match for her. She beat it not once, but twice! Radiation, chemo and an esophagectomy. As tough as these times were, she never let it stop her from living her best life and she certainly never let it get her down. She would always say “Someone else is going through something far worse than I.” Dian loved traveling, gathering with friends for lunch or a game of cards. She is survived by her husband, Mike; daughter Angela, son-in-law Lawrence, and grandson, Jonathan. Dian was a soulmate to Mike, a loving mother to Angela and a model of strength, love and encouragement to all who knew her.
Brother Knight Archie Pete Kitkoski, Sr., 88, of Anderson, TX passed away Jan. 28, 2023, at Houston Healthcare in Conroe. Archie was born in Anderson, TX, on Dec. 15, 1934, to Joe and Annie (Seigle) Kitkoski. He met and later married his wife, Betty (Cone) Kitkoski on Nov. 10, 1956, and to this union four children were born. He later opened his company, Kits Industries Inc., in 1976 and worked there until recent years. In his prime, Archie loved fishing, hunting, bowling, gambling, farming, barbecuing, tending to cattle, and drinking a cold beer. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2917. Most importantly, spending quality time with his family was his fondest moments. Archie was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and daughter Lynda Russell. He is sur-vived by his children; Kathy Wingard, Archie Kitkoski, Jr., and Kenny Kitkoski & wife Connie; son-in-law Mike Russell; sisters, Liz Paukert, Tina Pasket & husband Adam, and Theresa Dietrich; grandchildren, Brian Russell & wife Lyndsey, Ryan Wingard, Shelli Russell, Nikki Kim & husband Hyunwoo, Nolan Kitkoski & wife Krista, Kenadi Shackel-ford & husband Joshua, and Kyler Kitkoski; great-grandchildren, Avery Russell, Charlotte Russell, and Owen Kitkoski; and a host of relatives and friends.
Rosalie Marie Lobpries, age 98, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 14th, 2023, in Houston, Tx. Rosalie was born in High Hill, TX on Sept. 15th, 1924, the sixth of ten children. After her father died when she was 15 she had to quit school to help her mother on the farm. Eventually she moved to Houston to find work so she could send money to help her mother and younger siblings. After World War II she met Leo Lobpries at a dance. They married in 1949 and were married for 60 years. She retired from the Coca Cola Bottling Company. She enjoyed dancing, traveling, going on the bus for gambling trips and attending Astros games. She was a lifelong Catholic and a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Houston for 58 years. She is survived by daughters Marcia Reynolds (Jim), Karen Jackson (Jim) and Debbie Buck (Ronnie); grandsons John Reynolds (Michelle), Christopher Buck (Nina), Ryan Buck, Kevin Jackson (Jaclyn) and Corey Buck (Ivonne); granddaughters Laura Grazier (Jeremy), Sarah Jackson (Brandon Verklas) and Stephanie Jalufka (Eric) and 13 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Wilhelmina Wick Kainer, her husband Brother Knight Leo Lobpries, seven brothers, Ben, Ed, Herbert, Brother Knight Arthur, Brother Knight Alvin, Alex and Brother Knight Sonny Kainer and two sisters Lydia Fenn and Dorothy Duport.
Brother Knight George Alfonse Janacek, was born on Sept. 29, 1925, to Cyril and Mary Janacek. He was one of 9 children, born and raised on the family farm in Schulenburg, TX. He moved to Houston where he met his wife, Roselee “Patty” Scambray. They were wed on July 5, 1953 at Assumption Catholic Church in Houston, George volunteered to join the war during World War II in April of 1944 at the age of 18. He joined the Navy where he served as a Seaman First Class aboard the USS Dennis (DE-405) in the Pacific Theater around the Philippine Islands. During his service, he received the American Area Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon (4 bronze stars), the Philippine Liberation Ribbon (2 bronze stars), and the World War II Victory Medal. For his actions during the Battle off Samar, he was also awarded the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon (1 bronze star). Returning from the war, George returned to Schulenberg where he became a truck driver, eventually working for Herder Truck Lines of Weimar, TX for over 20 years. In 1974, he opened his own business in Houston, Hornet Campers, located on Airline Dr. George was a devout Catholic attending both Assumption Church in Houston and St. Stanislaus Church in Anderson, TX. George took his final breath on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in the home of his daughter and son-in-law. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, 7 of his siblings, and his wife, Roselee Janacek, who passed on Aug. 9, 2022. He is survived by his sister, Marcella Srubar of Pasadena, his daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Eddie Lett, 3 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Rev. Msgr. Fred O’Connor, born Dec. 29, 1928, in Houston, TX to Fred and Margaret O’Connor, died on Tuesday, Jan.17, 2023, in Houston, TX. Msgr. O’Connor was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by numerous cousins. Msgr. graduated from St. Thomas H.S. in 1945. With his desire to guide and support people, he turned down both a scholarship at Rice University and a professional baseball contract to enter the seminary. Msgr. O’Connor graduated from St. Mary Seminary in 1952 and was a priest in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston for over 70 years. He served faithfully in numerous parishes in the Archdio-cese and was often moved to a parish with a great need. He served as Chaplain at the Harris County Jail and in retirement celebrated Mass for the women at the Plane State Jail in Dayton for many years.
Brother Knight Carroll J. Brownfield was born on Oct. 18, 1927 to Jesse M. and Camille Cecille (Thomas) Brownfield in Shreveport, LA. Carroll grew up in Houston and worked with his father at Johnson shipyards as a draftsman. He attended the University of Texas until returning home to help his widowed mother and sick brother. Carroll married Ruby Aline Jarrett on Feb. 18, 1950 and had 4 children: Caroline, James, John and Kathy. They made their home in Houston, where he and his wife were very active in Assumption Catholic Church. He was a 58-year member of the Knights of Columbus, participating in countless service and church pro-jects. He worked at Tenneco Gas for 47 years as a draftsman and then manager over the drafting department. His main focus was design of pumping stations in Laurel, Mississippi; Kinder, Louisiana; Mexico City and some work on off-shore rigs. Carroll passed away on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 in Katy, TX at the age of 95. He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Mandagelo and her husband Marc; grandchildren, Jeffery Mandagelo, Brandon Bain and his wife Traci, Tiffany Mandagelo and Lauren Foster. Carroll was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruby Aline Jarrett Brownfield; baby daughter, Caroline Brownfield; sons, James Carroll Brownfield and John Douglas Brownfield.