Wanda Ruth O'Leary

Born August 7, 1936, Wanda Ruth Netek O'Leary recently passed away in Austin, Texas. A native Texan, Wanda graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, the same city in which she would eventually meet the love of her life, Lawrence D. O'Leary. Married in 1958, Wanda and Larry, enjoyed living in various cities throughout the state and found adventures in traveling the back roads of the state, as well as the rest of the world. Her ideal Sunday afternoon was a drive to wherever the road might lead, as long as she and her husband were together. One of their many road trips led them to Shiner, Texas, one of the cities they called home, and where Wanda became President of the Pilot Club of Shiner, which serves to influence positive change in communities by providing an outlet for service.

She and Larry moved to Austin for the second and final time in 2008. Since then, Wanda frequently volunteered at both the Travis County Republican Club as well as the Republican Party of Texas State Headquarters in Austin.

In every city in which she and Larry lived, Wanda was an active member of her local Catholic parish, serving in a variety of ministries, including being a liturgical minister. She enjoyed celebrating masses at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Austin and actively sought opportunities to volunteer her time. Proud of her Czech heritage, Wanda was a lifelong member of the KJZT and the KJT fraternal societies and was a lifetime member of the St. Anne Society #116.

Wanda loved her family and loved to volunteer to help others.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Larry O'Leary, her brothers Norman Netek and Frank Netek, Jr., and her parents, Angela Netek and Frank Netek, Sr. She is survived by her daughter Louri O'Leary and son-in-law Jim Harrison; her daughter Tarri Miller and life companion Kevin Thornton, and her grandchildren Joshua Miller, Jordan Miller, and Madison Miller.

To celebrate Wanda's life, a memorial reception will be held Thursday, January 25th at 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705. A funeral mass will be held Friday, January 26th at 10:00am at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4311 Small Dr., Austin, TX 78731.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution be sent to St. Theresa's Catholic Church or to a charity of your choice.