Emily Skrhak

Emily Theresa Skrhak, 74, died Jan. 31, 2017, at Westview Manor Rehabilitation Center of McGregor, Texas, due to the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

The visitation and rosary was held on Friday, Feb. 3, at Cole's funeral home in McGregor. A funeral mass, co-officiated by former pastor, Father George C. George and present pastor, Father Boniface Onjefu, on Saturday, Feb. 4, at St. Eugene Catholic Church, in McGregor, followed by her burial at McGregor City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Kelvin Skrhak, Latham Skrhak, Kai Crist, Michael Jedlicka, Lindsay Luedeker, Mason Luedeker.

She was born April 10, 1942, in Cameron, Texas, to John A. and Emilie (Gelner) Jedlicka. She grew up on a small farm with her parents and three older brothers. She graduated from Yoe High School in Cameron in 1960.

In January 1961, she married Sam Skrhak, who was in the U.S. Navy and had grown up in the nearby small town of Buckholts. They were married at St. Monica’s Catholic Church of Cameron and promptly moved to California, where Sam was assigned to a ship berthed in Long Beach. In 1962, Sam’s ship was sent to the Far East for 6 months and Emily went back to live with her parents. Their first child was born when the ship was on its way back. After their Navy life, they settled in McGregor, where she made a home for Sam and their four children. She was a stay-at-home Mom and loved it.

Emily was very friendly and always had a smile for everyone. She enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking, and even sewing clothes for the girls. She stayed active in volunteering for school and church activities. Sam and Emily are members of St. Eugene Catholic Church. After the children were grown, Emily was the Church secretary for a number of years. Her parents, a brother and a nephew preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband, Sam; children, Emily and Mickey Phillips of Tyler, Cindy and Lindsay Luedeker of Granbury, Kelvin and Melissa Skrhak of Lorena, and Theresa Skrhak of Waco; ten grandchildren; her brothers, Joe Jedlicka and Judy of Roseburg, Oregon, and Paul Jedlicka and Patricia of Bryan. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to give special thanks to the employees of Westview Manor and the team from Providence Hospice.