Bessie Chudej

Mrs. Robert Chudej, nee Bessie Pulkrabek, of Yoakum died at 2:00 a.m. Monday, January 19, 1976 in Huth Memorial Hospital following a short illness. She attained the age of 72 years, 8 months and 9 days.

Funeral services were scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Yoakum with Holy Mass offered by the Rev. Michael O’Shaughnessy. Burial followed in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Yoakum.

A rosary was recited at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 at the Buffington Funeral Home Chapel, Yoakum, where the body lay in state.

Mrs. Chudej, one of 10 children, was born May 10, 1903 at Shiner, daughter of John and Annie (Mikes) Pulkrabek, natives of Czechoslovakia. She was reared at Shiner and attended school here.

On April 10, 1923, she was married to Robert Chudej in the Shiner Catholic Church with the Rev. Paul P. Kasper officiating. They made their home in Yoakum and had been residents of that city for the past 53 years. She was a longtime employee of the former Crystal Café in Yoakum. In 1973, the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Chudej of Yoakum; son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Chudej of Houston; two grandsons, Dana and Darrell Chudej; one brother, Frank J. Pulkrabek of Yoakum; two sisters, Mrs. Marshall (Emma) McMaster of Seguin, Mrs. John (Annie) Berkovsky of Sweet Home; nieces and nephews; including Mrs. Jimmie (Rubye) Cimrhanzel of Shiner.

She was preceded in death by her father in 1938; her mother, Oct. 20, 1948; five brothers, Dr. Emil Pulkrabek in 1941; Anton Pulkrabek, May 16, 1931; Charles A. Pulkrabek, April; 24, 1961; Joe E. Pulkrabek, Feb. 24, 1961; and John Pulkrabek; one sister, Mrs. E.J. (Mary) Chromcak, Oct. 29, 1960.

Shiner Gazette, January 22, 1976