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Houston Chronicle
Vlasta Chaloupka, 86, of Pasadena, Tx., left her earthly home on Sunday, September 2, 2001, after a brief battle with cancer. Born December 22, 1914,near Caldwell, Texas,in Burleson, Co., to Czech immigrant Joe Chaloupka and his wife Anna Gold, she grew up in the home of her Godfather Emil Lesikar after her mother died in 1915. Diligent to learn English and determined to make something of her life, Vlasta worked her way through San Marcos State Teachers College and began a lifelong teaching career. Like many of her generation, she lost her beloved husband Henry Machann in the war in 1944, but married his cousin Joe Machann at the war's end in 1946. Settling in the industrial town of Pasadena, Mrs. Machann taught art to thousands of your people and shared her vision with the entire school. She and her students transformed uninspiring, institutional walls and ceilings, creating a pumpkin farm in fall or perhaps a snowstorm in winter, making magic with paper and paint. A founding member of Pasadena Brethren Church, SPJST Lodge 172, and Zeta Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, she volunteered her talent and incredible energy in service to God, family, and community. She practiced generous hospitality to friends and strangers, offering them all a home filled with art, good Czech cooking, and love. Never complaining, never a gossip, never expecting thanks, Vlasta was especially sensitive to people in need of a family, opening her home for a night, a month, or a year. Her daughter Betty Jo (BJ) Yonley and her husband Bill enjoyed traveling with her on every family vacation, while Bill patiently helped her with her garden after her husband Joe Machann's death. Daughter Donna Fowler and her husband Joe pampered her with food and fun in her visits to her home in Austin. Beloved niece Mary Jane Foley of LaFayette, Colorado will miss her unconditional love, as will grandchildren Tommy, William, Lori Anna, and Jonathan Yonley and Brittany and Amber Fowler. Her surviving sisters are Adele Stephenson, Albina Dornhoefer, Rosie Wilde, Mary Kaulfus, Agnes Love and Clara Kramer. Memorial services to be held Wednesday 7 p.m. at Pasadena Brethren Church, 1810 Scarborough Lane, Pasadena, with reception following service. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, September 6, 2001 at Old New Tabor Brethren Church, Caldwell, Tx. Interment Old New Tabor Cemetery, Caldwell, Tx. Colonial Funeral Home, 713-472-4337.
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