Geraldine (Deany) Vavra (96) surrounded by loving family members went to be with her heavenly father on Friday, December 15, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan, Texas with Reverend Monsignor John McCaffrey and Reverend Father Roopesh Matthew officiating. Burial will follow at the Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Bryan. Visitation for family and friends will be from 5 to 7 PM, Friday, December 29, 2023 at the Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Rosary will start at 6 PM.
Deany was born July 21, 1927 in Kurten, Texas, the daughter of William Fritz and Matilda (Stroppe) Schram. She grew up on their family farm that grew cotton, grain, and livestock. She went to elementary school in Kurten and later graduated from Bryan’s Stephen F. Austin High School in 1945. After graduation she was employed at Texas A&M University as a laboratory technician in the Meats Research Center for seven years.. Here, meats were tested for palatability, tenderness, flavor, and other characteristics.
In 1950, Deany met her future husband Martin at a dance in Kurten. In 1951 they married and she joined him in Stanton, Texas where he worked as an engineer for the US Department of Agriculture – Soil Conservation Service.
While in Stanton, Deany was a secretary for the Martin County Hospital for two years. Their son Dennis was born in 1953. After a transferring to San Angelo in 1954, their daughter Karen was born in 1956. Transferred again in 1959 to Uvalde, their final transfer to Austin, Texas occurred in 1966.
Deany was very active with her children but especially while in Uvalde - serving five years as a den mother for Cub Scouts, involved in Parent Teacher and Homeroom Mother activities. Little League baseball also occupied her time.
Deany enjoyed sewing, quilting and was very talented in making costume jewelry and creating her own designs. She took pleasure in cooking and baking for family and friends, especially at Christmas time. There was always an abundance of goodies. Her oatmeal recipe still lives on. She continued her talented ways making greeting cards that were loved by everyone who received one.
After the children started high school, Deany spent the next 12 years working for the US Civil Service Department before retiring in 1982. In 1983 after Martin’s retirement, Deany and Martin moved back to Kurten where they had acquired a farm several years earlier. They built a house, raised cattle, cut brush, and always had a big garden. Deany canned and froze the vegetables from the garden and there were always bags of fresh vegetables appearing at neighbors doorsteps. Deany enjoyed having gatherings for family and friends.
In 2013, they traded their country life for independent living at Arbor Oaks at Crestview in Bryan to relax a bit. Deany made many new friends there and continued to play 42 dominoes and participate in varied activities. In 2022, they moved to Morningside Ministries at Menger Springs in Boerne.
Deany was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Age Managers Club since 1983. She was also a member of both the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 159 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Post 4692 and was very active in their fund raising activities benefiting veterans and youth programs.
Deany is preceded in death by her parents; William Fritz and Matilda (Stroppe) Schram; husband of 72 years, Martin Vavra; sister, Ella Schram Kehlenbrink; and brother, Wiil (Bill) Schram.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Robert (Bob) Freeman of Boerne; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Alicia Vavra of Houston; grandchildren, William (Bill) Freeman and wife Melissa, Robert (Bobby ) Freeman and wife Rachel, Adrienne Vavra, and Alexis (Vavra) Thurston and husband Jason; great grandchildren Clara Nell, Finley, and Dean Freeman; Tyler, McKayla, and Gabriel Thurston; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 507 E. 26th St. Bryan, TX, 77803 or a charity of one’s choice.
