Geraldine Pivonka

Geraldine Virginia Pivonka, 91, of Caldwell, passed from this life and went to her eternal home on November 2, 2020.

Geraldine was born on April 14, 1929 in Caldwell, Texas to parents Lee and Emily (Kocurek) Schoppe.  Geraldine grew up working in the family business, “Lee’s Café”.  During her high school years, she played the clarinet in the Caldwell High School band, graduating in 1946.  Upon graduation from high school, Geraldine attended Durham Business School in Austin, Texas.  Soon after she met and married the love of her life, Herbert Daniel Pivonka.  Herbert and Geraldine were married on September 2, 1947 at St. Mary’s Church in Caldwell, Texas.  Geraldine became a full-time housewife and mother to 6 children.

Geraldine and Herbert found their first home in Bryan, Texas.  From Bryan, they moved to Orange, Texas and then Beeville, Texas.  While in Beeville, she began working as secretary/clerk for Fish Oil Company in Beeville, Texas, where she has many fond memories.   Upon retirement Geraldine and Herbert moved and settled into the Caldwell area.  They were devout Catholics and were active in each parish they attended throughout their lives.  Prior to entry to the nursing home, Geraldine was a member of Holy Rosary Church in Frenstat, Texas where she was involved in the Altar Society, Church Choir, and record keeping for the Clerical Endowment Fund. She was also actively involved with the KJZT.  During their more active years, Herbert and Geraldine were always involved in the Holy Rosary Frenstat Bazaar each year.  Geraldine had a special devotion to Mary, praying the Rosary everyday with her family.

Geraldine and Herbert, during their retirement years also enjoyed traveling, especially to see their children and grandchildren across Texas and Montana. The family has many fond memories of camping trips at Lake Somerville with siblings and cousins; family reunions in Caldwell, Texas; and numerous other vacations across America.  Geraldine and Herbert also loved to play dominos and had a group of family members they played with each week.  Geraldine also loved to cook.  One of her favorite things to make for her grandchildren when they came to visit was her famous homemade doughnuts. The grandchildren would eat them all in one sitting.  Geraldine will be missed dearly by her family.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Pivonka; her parents; her sisters, Gloria Kocurek and Mary Josephine Mosser; her brother, Donald Schoppe; her son, Ronald Pivonka, and her grandson, Rett Pivonka.  She is survived by her sons, Thomas Pivonka of Caldwell, Texas, Msgr. Leonard Pivonka of Alice, Texas, Richard Pivonka and his wife Carol of Caldwell, Texas, Carl Pivonka and his wife Laura of Billings, Montana; daughter, Janice Popp and her husband Jeff of Iola, Texas; daughter in law, Scarlette Pivonka of Caldwell, Texas; as well as her beloved grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her siblings, Barbara Shenkir and Margaret Joy Turman along with many nieces and nephews.

Many words can be used to describe Geraldine; content, kind, peaceful, grateful, and friendly.  Geraldine was smiling until the day she died. Her family and friends will always remember her smile.