Irene Weidner

Irene Vera Svoboda Weidner, of Fort Collins, Co formerly of Taylor, Austin and Pflugerville, passed away on Friday, December 3, 2010 surrounded by her loving family. Irene was born and raised in Taylor to Jerry and Vera (Machu) Svoboda on October 17, 1933 on a working farm. She attended school in the Taylor area, graduating from Taylor High School in 1950.

After graduation, Irene went to work for a local Taylor attorney, R.J. Bartosh. She worked with him until the end of 1961, when she and Woodrow “Woody” Wilson Weidner married on December 19, 1961 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Woody and Irene were blessed to have shared the next 42 years together until his death in 2003. Moving to Austin, she worked at the Law Firm of Graves, Dougherty, Hearon and Moody from 1962 to 1974. Their daughter, Kay Maxine was welcomed home in 1968. In 1975, the family moved to Pflugerville. From 1974 to 1985, Irene worked for Judge Tom Gee, of the Fifth Circuit of Appeals. Judge Gee moved to Houston, allowing Irene to return to the law firm and work for Dan Moody, Jr from 1985-1995. Irene retired and in the spring of 1996 started volunteering at North Austin Medical Center. Later that fall, she became a member of the staff and worked as a secretary for the Volunteer Services department.

Irene was a devoted, dedicated and determined wife, mother and businesswoman. In the mid 80’s, while still working at Judge Gee’s office they received their first computer and word processor. She meticulously read and studied the manuals, teaching herself WordPerfect, Word, Quattro and Excel. She was a longtime active member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pflugerville. Irene and Woody enjoyed traveling all over the US together, spending time with family and friends playing dominoes, poker and card games. She was an avid cross-word, jumble and jigsaw puzzle solver. She loved dancing, and she and Woody were cherished members of the SPJST in Taylor and later in Round Rock. She always participated in the local functions and attended many dances. They would work the front door, selling tickets to the dances, taking food orders, and even flipping burgers for the crowds. She enjoyed her time at North Austin Medical Center where she received awards and acclimations for her hard work, volunteer hours and even being honored as a valued employee. In 2008, Irene made the choice to move to Colorado to be closer to her daughter, Kay and son-in-law, Andy. Her last years were a challenge but Irene met Parkinson’s head on. She remained ever strong, courageous, independent, playful and wily always determined to win the fight.

Irene is preceded in death by: Parents- Jerry and Vera (Machu) Svoboda, Husband-Woodrow “Woody” Wilson Weidner, Daniel Svoboda (brother), Daniel Svoboda, Jr. (nephew), Lydia Svoboda Cuba (sister), Johnny Cuba (brother-in-law) and Brennan Carlson (great neice).

Survivors include; Kay Maxine Weidner Donelson (daughter) and Andy Donelson (son-in-law) of Fort Collins, Colorado. Survived by nieces, Johnette DeLeon and husband, Conrad DeLeon of Taylor, Texas and Darlene Meyer and husband, Al Meyer of Victoria, Texas and Linda Wells and husband, Fred Wells of Austin, Texas. A sister-in-law, Vlasta Svoboda of Victoria, Texas. Great nieces: Bethany McSorley and husband, Patrick McSorley of Kyle, Texas; LeAnn Gola and husband, Matt Gola of Kyle, Texas; Emily Molder and husband, Ron Molder of Victoria, Texas; Joy Elliot and husband, Steve Elliot of Houston, Texas; Chad Meyer and wife, Sarah Troell Meyer of Victoria, Texas. Irene also leaves countless special loved ones and friends.

Arrangements under the direction of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, Pflugerville, TX.