Freund Funeral Home

Kathy Gay Smith Rangnow, 68, of Cuero passed away Friday, November 10, 2023. She was born November 14, 1954 in Corpus Christi to the late James E. and Joan Brown Smith. Kathy married Henry Rangnow on June 24, 1972 at St. John Lutheran Church in Meyersville. Kathy was a loving wife, daughter, mother, and nana. She managed Rangnow Water Well Service and proudly supported and ran sound for Taylor Brothers Band for many years. She could often be seen in her Hummer delivering invoices, making calls, and frequenting her favorite breakfast and lunch spots in Cuero. Kathy loved going places, listening to music, taking care of her dogs, cooking for her family, and going on gambling trips. Her...

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Pete Slovacek Jr., a beloved husband, father, and Vietnam War veteran, who left us on November 5, 2023 at the age of 74. Pete's life was a testament to resilience, courage, and unwavering dedication to his country and loved ones. Pete was born on August 27, 1949 in Hallettsville, the son of Pete and Mildred Slovacek. He grew up in a close-knit family that instilled in him the values of honor, duty, and service, which would define his life. Pete is survived by his wife, Ida Grace Hahn Slovacek; son and daughter in law, Brian and Amanda Slovacek; two grandchildren, Kaitlyn Slovacek and Madison Slovacek; brothers, Ronald Slovacek,...

June Nell Guenther passed away on November 4, 2023 at the age of 64. She was born on June 10, 1959 in Cuero to Harry and Roseline Shaffner Guenther of Westhoff. She graduated from Cuero High School and years later she entered college. She graduated summa cum laude from Bee County College with an Associate of Applied Science degree. She was a member of Cuero Hermann Sons Family Lodge where she held the offices of treasurer, reporter, and historian for nearly 40 years. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church of Lindenau where she served on the church council. She also was president of the Lindenau W.E.L.C.A. June was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Roseline Guenther, a niece,...

Dorothy Jean Hotz, 71, of Cuero passed away Sunday, October 29, 2023. Visitation will be Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 5 to 7 pm at Freund Funeral Home. Services will be Friday, November 3, 2023, 2 pm, at Freund Funeral Home with Pastor Marlon Vick of Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Freund funeral Home, 361-275-2343.

James K. "Kin" Marie, 87, of Cuero passed away Sunday, October 29, 2023. He was born December 4, 1935 in Cuero to Archie F. and Lillian "Merle" Murray Marie. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1955-1959. He cowboyed and also worked for McBride Cattle Company. He married Sandra Leske on October 12, 1963 in Cuero. He and his wife both worked for Devereux Foundation in Victoria in their early years of marriage where he served as Ranch Supervisor. He was the owner of Running K Ranch and Western Wear where he did repairs on boots, shoes and saddles for over thirty years. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Sandra; daughter, Kim Wilson of Temple; son, Jon Marie of...

Bernice Freida Nitsche Webb Hanke, 81, of Cuero passed away Sunday, October 29, 2023. She was born September 3, 1942 in Cuero to Bernhard and Alvina Rauch Nitsche. She was a member of Hermann Sons, Hochheim Prairie and the American Legion Auxiliary. She worked as a waitress at the American Legion; she had a home daycare, a plant nursery and was a rural mail carrier. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and embroidery for loved ones, making flower arrangements and growing plants to give away. She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Merzbacher of Cuero and Dianna (Roger) Zimmerman of Lindenau; son, Kenneth (Amy) Webb of Aransas Pass; brothers, David (Nancy) Nitsche and Larry Nitsche;...

Visitation will be held Friday, October 27, 2023 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Freund Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Saturday, October 28, 2023, 2:00 PM at Jerusalem Baptist Mission. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. You may sign the guestbook or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com, 361.275.2343.

Visitation will be Friday, October 20, 2023, 9:00 AM at St. Michael's Catholic Church with a rosary to be recited at 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 AM with Father Jacob Mendoza officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. You may sign the guestbook or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com. Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023, 9:00 AM at Freund Funeral Home. Funeral Services will begin at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. You may sign the guestbook or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com. Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.

Wilma Lou Fromme Kenne, 88, of Meyersville passed away Saturday, September 30, 2023. She was born May 30, 1935 in Yorktown to Alton and Elda Haak Fromme. She married Denis James Kenne on August 21, 1952 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Meyersville. She loved to make baked goods and was known for her delicious donuts and cinnamon rolls. She loved to go dancing and read books. She was a member of St. Peter and Paul Altar society. She is survived by her daughter, Grace Marie (Randy) Willms of Goliad; her son, Joseph A. Kenne of Meyersville; brother, Dalton Fromme; grandchildren, Christie M. Willms of Goliad and Christopher Kenne of Athens, Georgia as well as a great-grandson,...

Lillie Mae McElroy, 79, of Cuero passed away Friday, September 29, 2023. She was born October 12, 1943 in Cuero to Eugene and Elsie Baer Phillips. She loved to bake and cook for loved ones. She enjoyed going to estate sales and having friends in her home. Her passion was being able to give to people. She is survived by her friendship partner, Bobby Aitkens; daughter, Lois Beltran (Johnny Carisalez); brother, Richard Phillips; grandson, Herman (Natalie) Rosales Jr; great-grandchildren, Caiden Rosales, Marissa Rosales and six bonus grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Frank Beltran Jr.; second husband, Doyle McElroy; son, Frank Beltran III; sister,...

Paul Mark Vahalik, beloved husband of Barbara Dlugosch Vahalik, entered eternal rest on September 24, 2023. They shared 49 wonderful years of marriage, creating a lifetime of cherished memories. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Paul was not only a pillar of strength for his family but also a beacon of love and support. Paul is survived by his wife Barbara Fay Dlugosch-Vahalik, his daughter Jennifer and her husband Jason Jurica with their two beautiful boys, Jody and Jacob, who adored their grandfather, his son Mark and his husband Angelo Bonilla, and his son Luke and his wife Melissa Muhlenkamp Vahalik. Paul is also survived by his siblings Catherine, Dennis, Patricia,...

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 10:00 AM at Freund Funeral Home. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 AM with Rex Bennetsen officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of South Texas. You may sign the guestbook or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com. Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.

Jolly Badgett, 96, of Cuero passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2023. He was born February 1, 1927 in Hochheim to R.E. and Lillie Fisher Badgett. After serving in the United States Navy in World War II, he returned to Cuero for a few months and married Wanetha Debault of Yoakum on November 30, 1947. They moved to Houston where he was employed by a wood treating plant for six years and then went to work for Comet Rice Mills for thirty-seven years. While in Houston, He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at Berean Baptist Church and served him there for thirty-seven years. After returning to Cuero, he was employed by DeWitt County for 12 years. At the time of his death, he was a...

Shirley Florina Perkins Holcomb went to sleep on earth on Thursday, August 24, 2023, and woke up in the arms of the Lord and Savior she had faithfully served her whole life. She was born on November 17 1942 in Gideon, Missouri to Carol and Hazel Arnold Perkins. She married Robbie Holcomb on January 6, 1962 and they both served as pastors throughout their lives together. Shirley is survived by one daughter, Robbin Flores; three grandchildren, Shelby Flores, Dakota Flores Regalado and husband, Ben, and Addison Flores; and one great-granddaughter, Amelia Regalado. Among the friends and family celebrating her arrival in heaven were her parents; husband; and great-grandson, Matthew Regalado. ...

Michael Victor Ortiz, 60, of Cuero passed away Thursday, August 17, 2023. He was born December 19, 1962 in Yorktown to Victor and Inez Ramirez Ortiz. He graduated Cuero High School and worked as a CNA and medication aide at Cuero Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Michael enjoyed cooking, barbecuing and going to the beach. He also enjoyed being surrounded by his siblings, nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Michael loved life. He was always joking around and though he was jokester, he would give you the shirt off his back. He will be missed tremendously by all who shared his life with him. He is survived by his sisters, Marie (Ervin) Survant, Connie (Leonard)...

Sharon Ann Striedel Strain, 75, of College Station passed peacefully at her home on August 15, 2023 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on November 9, 1947 in Victoria County to the late Johnnie Albert Striedel and Elsie Clara Kirchner Striedel. She married the love of her life, Danny Wayne Strain, on June 11, 1966, in Cuero. The couple moved to Seguin in 1981 where Sharon was the Utilities Billing Supervisor for the City of Seguin. After retirement, Sharon followed her heart and family to College Station. Sharon was part of a very large family. She was the tenth of eleven children, and much of her social life centered around family gatherings. Her siblings...