Martha Pelech Tauch, 105, passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Martha was born December 30, 1916, on the family farm in Komensky, Lavaca County, to Anastasia Mikulik Pelech and Adolph Pelech. She graduated from Moulton High School and enjoyed working at Boehm’s store in Moulton before marrying Arnold Tauch of Flatonia on November 23, 1936.
Martha lived life to the fullest for each of her 105 years, taking great joy in her extended family and various kinds of volunteer work. She always delighted in talking about her early married life with Arnold when they lived in a box car as a part of his job with Southern Pacific Railroad. When their sons Arnold Carl and David reached school age, they settled back in Arnold’s hometown of Flatonia. There, in addition to caring for home and family, Martha found time to throw her considerable energy into numerous church, school, and community activities.
For as long as she had children in school, Martha was active in the Parent Teacher Association, serving multiple terms as President. She later developed a deep and abiding interest in local history and became a charter member of the Board of Directors for both the E. A. Arnim Archives & Museum and the Central Texas Rail History Center—and both benefitted immeasurably from her hard work and dedication. Martha was frequently recognized with awards for her selfless volunteer work, among them the Hermann Sons Humanitarian of the Year award and, most recently, the City of Flatonia presented her with a “Key to the City” in 2019. Martha studied and painted in oils, with many sessions under Dalhart Windberg, the Texas artist. Above all, Martha was a long-time and devoted member of the Flatonia United Methodist Church.
It is hard to summarize such a rich and full life as Martha’s, but she was truly an inspiration to all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed by a host of family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Arnold R. Tauch, her mother Anastasia Mikulik Pelech , her father Adolph Pelech, her stepmother Annie Rehak Pelech, sisters Mary Pelech, Elenora Little, Darlene Leigh, and beloved daughter-in-law Vernelle Pietsch Tauch.
Martha is survived by sons Arnold C. Tauch (Joanne) of Katy, Texas, and David R. Tauch (Jean) of La Grange; sister Carolyn Wier of Flatonia and brother Daniel Pelech of Yoakum; grandchildren Kyle Tauch of Houston, Kevin Tauch of Oregon, Allyson Tauch of Houston, Carl Tauch (April) of Richardson, Eric Tauch (Kim) of Whispering Pines, NC, Chris Campbell (Sherri) of Katy, Gregory Campbell of Steamboat Springs, CO, Paul Rietz of Bastrop, Jeff Rietz of Bastrop, and Gay Len Gaskey (Chad) of Bastrop. Great grandchildren include Carson Tauch, Bode Tauch, Addison Tauch, Sophie Tauch, Evan Tauch, Lucas Campbell, Jonah Campbell, Wyatt Campbell, Caitlin Campbell, Caleb Rietz, Hanna Rietz, Vance Rietz, Logan Gaskey and Luke Gaskey.
A visitation for Martha will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Saturday, February 19 beginning at 4 p. m. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 20 at 2 p. m. at the Flatonia United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Mausoleum Cemetery in Flatonia.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Martha’s memory may be made to the E. A. Arnim Archives & Museum, the Central Texas Rail History Center, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.smithfuneralhomeflatonia.com for the Tauch family.
Smith Funeral Home – 128 East 5th Street, Flatonia, TX 78941 Phone #361-865-3311
