Ethel Marie Kutac

Ethel Marie Kutac was born on October 28, 1926, in Yoakum, Texas to Edward A, Kutac and Albina Lanik-Kutac. Ethel was the third of four children, Edward A. Kutac, Josephine K, Faubin and Evelyn K, Monnich.

Ethel attended St. Joseph High School and then graduated from Baldwin Business College where she traveled to Corpus Christi and worked as a secretary for The Robert Driscoll Hotel. At 18, she received an escrow from her Father’s death and decided to return to school attending A&I in Kingsville and then University of Texas at Austin where she received a B.S. In Home Economics.

In 1951, she began teaching in elementary education and her life would be forever changed. She taught two years in Schulenburg, Texas and then five years for the Department of Defense in Okinawa, England, Germany, Spain and France. Upon returning to the United States, she received a Master’s Degree in Counseling & Guidance from Southwest Texas State University. She then worked as the Early Childhood Training Specialist for the University of Texas at Austin training graduate students to work with preschool special education students. In 1973, she became the counselor for the Early Childhood Education program for Austin Independent School District.

In 1989. she retired and began her second career in bird watching, volunteering and travel. Following her brother Edward, she became an avid bird watcher, a passion which would take her around the world including Russia, China, The Czech Republic, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ireland, South America and India. Following her love for the Theatre, Ballet and Opera, she volunteered for the Bass Concert Hall, The Paramount, One World and Zachary Scott Theatres. She also volunteered for the Travis Audubon Society and Westcave Preserve.

Regarded as a Yellow, Dog Democrat, she saw herself as a pacifist, a fiscal moderate, who believed in Civil Rights, health care and above all education. She will be remembered for her laugh and her desire that “we all give each other a hug.”

A visitation for Ethel will be held Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 3125 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78705. A visitation and rosary will occur from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Weed-Corley-Fish North Chapel, 3125 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78705. A funeral mass will occur Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 1:00 PM at St. Austin Catholic Parish, 2026 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas. A burial will occur Friday, October 1, 2021 at 12:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Sheehan Street, Yoakum, Texas.

She asked, instead of flowers for her, please give them to someone you love or make a donation to the Audubon Society or the charity of your choice.