Irene Fraga

Irene was born on August 4, 1942, in Houston, Texas to her loving parents Augustin and Rita Vaeza. She attended Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Holy Name Catholic School and was a proud alumnus of Incarnate Word Academy, class of 1961. She also received her beautician license and enjoyed a short career as a hairdresser.

Irene was one of six siblings: Augustin, Jr., Katherine, David, Bill, and Tony. She enjoyed growing up in Houston’s historic Northside and helping raise her younger siblings.

As a young lady, Irene won the Fiestas Patrias beauty pageant. She often joked that she came in second place. The pageant winnings consisted of a trip to Mexico City on which her mother accompanied her.

It was no wonder that she caught the eye of the handsome G.I. Lupe “Champ” Fraga who had recently returned from serving in the U.S. Army. Irene and Lupe married in June of 1966 at the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral with a reception at the Rice Hotel. They rarely spent a night apart in their 56-year marriage.

Irene soon became a Fighting Texas A&M Aggie by association. Many of Irene and Lupe’s early dates included Aggie football games, sporting events, and community social events. This began Irene’s lifelong love of all thing Aggies and Houston sports team. She was actively involved in the early days of LULAC, Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Houston Minority Business Council and Ripley House. They even attended the LULAC event on November 21, 1963, where they saw President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy the night before they left for Dallas.

Irene and Lupe were involved in many charitable organizations. She was actively involved with the opening and operating efforts of the Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory High School in August 2009. They chaired many galas together including the Amigos de Las Americas and the University of Houston-Downtown Red Rose Ball. In May 2008, Irene was honored by Family Services as the “The Irene & Lupe Fraga Family of the Year”. In March 2010, the United Cerebral Palsy “Hats off to Mothers” luncheon honored Irene Fraga along with nine other Houston area women. In 2012, Irene and Lupe were the honorary chairs for Celebramos! a luncheon held to raise money for Our Lady of Guadalupe School which celebrated their 100th anniversary.

In 1962 Lupe founded Tejas Office Products, Inc., Irene loaned him money to help meet payroll in those early days. She often reminded him he never paid her interest on that original loan and never paid her back. Together they worked side by side for over 40 years. Irene was the “real boss” as she liked to remind people and treated their employees as family. In the early days her primary responsibility was in collections. On several occasions clients complained of her collection methods and they would often ask to speak to her boss. Her cheeky reply was always: “I am the boss!” Irene and Lupe enjoyed celebrating Tejas’ 60th Anniversary in November 2022.

Irene and Lupe had three children, Michele R. Fraga, Alisa M. Kautzmann, and Stephen M. Fraga. All three children followed in their parents’ footsteps and run the company to this day.

Irene and Lupe were long time parishioners of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church where they met many friends. She was a member of the “Turkeys” bowling team along with other moms from the parish. For decades, Irene and Lupe attended monthly breakfasts with two groups of life-long friends: one group comprised of fellow St. Francis parents and the other group comprised mostly of childhood friends from the old neighborhood. More recently, they were parishioners of St. Laurence Catholic Church.

Irene and Lupe were able to enjoy their golden years together and traveled the world. Mostly, you would find the couple quietly cheering on their beloved Astros and Aggies from their Sugar Land home, watching their soap operas, or having an early dinner at their favorite restaurant, Lopez Mexican Restaurant.

Irene was most happy spending time with her five grandchildren, Nicholas, Marissa, Gregory, Stephen Jr., and Andrew who affectionately referred to her as “Abi.” She was blessed and proud to attend Nicholas’ Texas A&M University graduation and see her Marissa off to her beloved university in College Station, Texas. Irene never missed a Grandparents’ Day for Gregory, Stephen, Jr., and Andrew and was always the loudest spectator at their many baseball games. She was always quick with advice for improving their game.

Irene is preceded in death by her loving husband, Lupe Fraga; her parents, Augustin and Rita Vaeza; brothers David Vaeza and Bill Vaeza. She is survived by her loving daughters Michele R. Fraga; Alisa M. Kautzmann and husband, Frank N. Kautzmann, IV; loving son Stephen M. Fraga and his wife Michelle M. Fraga; and her loving grandchildren Nicholas Kautzmann, V., Marissa A. Kautzmann, Gregory M. Fraga, Stephen M. Fraga, Jr., and Andrew M. Fraga. She is also survived by her sister, Katherine Vaeza and brothers Augustin Vaeza, Jr., and Tony Vaeza.

The Fraga family is deeply grateful to the following team of doctors, caretakers, and staff who provided Irene with the best quality of care; Dr. Seva Papageorge, Rhea Sobremesana, RA, Wendie Wilkie, Denise Hidrovo, Iris Jimenez Torros, Mary Jane Hale, CNA, Precious Enendu, CNA, Joe Cavazos, Tyler Musgrove, Sam Chreidi, Jenny Mayo, Krista, Bianca, Michelle and Matilde and the staff at DaVita Greatwood Dialysis, Anthony Santos, RN, NP, Dr. Joseph S. Galati, and Rhonda, Danielle, Zinnia and the staff at Interim Health.

Visitation and Viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 31st from 4:00pm to 8:00pm with a Rosary at 7:00pm at The Settegast-Kopf @ Sugar Creek located at 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. The Funeral Mass is Thursday, February 1st at 10:00am at St. Laurence Catholic Church located at 3100 Sweetwater Boulevard, Sugar Land, Texas 77479 with a reception to follow at the parish community center.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in her name be directed to Incarnate Word Academy, 609 Crawford Street, Houston, Texas 77002, or St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, 8100 Roos Road, Houston, Texas 77036.