Cover photo for Victoria Vydrzal's Obituary
Victoria Vydrzal Profile Photo
1921 Victoria 2021

Victoria Vydrzal

July 28, 1921 — May 27, 2021

Victoria Vydrzal was born in Smithville, Tx, July 28, 1921 to Charles Vyvjala, Sr and Sofie (Kubicek) Vyvjala. She had two brothers Alfred Vyvjala and Charlie Vyvjala, Jr.

She is survived by her children, Gene Grohman (Joanne) of Smithville, Barbara Dean (Gary) of Beaumont, Billy Vydrzal (Nancy) of Smithville. She has eight grandchildren, Vicki Lynn West, Stanley Vydrzal (Gloria); Tracy Johnson (Doug); Doug Vydrzal (Amber) Shane Lance Brown; Chris Colvin; Becky High (Jeff), Melanie Seaman (Tim). She also has a step-son in England, Roger Wyatt (Susan).

Her great-grandchildren are Seth and Connor Vydrzal; Alex, Abby & Emmy Johnson; Dax & Vivian Vydrzal; Caleb & Hailey Brown; Kristopher, Rylee & Sophia Colvin; Samuel Seaman,  Ashley Traver  (Ryan).

Victoria (Vicky) was born in a little white house near the Railroad tracks in Smithville TX July 28, 1921. This little house with red trim still stands today. She grew up on Yeager Street and that home is also still standing. She spent almost her entire life around Smithville and she loved that little town and everyone there.

They were very poor, there was no running water inside the house, no electricity. Water was heated outside in pots to wash clothes and dishes. Vicky's parents were Czech and spoke almost no English at home. She learned the English language after starting school.

She had two dresses and one pair of shoes to wear and they walked everywhere that they went around town. They ate a lot of pork & beans and also watermelon and bread for supper. She usually carried hardboiled eggs for her school lunches. When Victoria was twelve years old her Mother had tuberculosis and was sent to Kerrville for treatment. Those were difficult, challenging times preparing her for the length of time The Lord knew she would be facing in this life.

Victoria attended schools in Smithville  and while in high school she was in the Pep Squad cheering on the Tigers. She only missed one half of a day of classes throughout her four years in high school and she proudly graduated in May 1939.

She had  several jobs throughout her lifetime and was always a dedicated, hard worker. Victoria worked at Camp Swift during WWII as a clerical typist for over two years.They kept inventory for all the equipment our government was sending overseas to our military bases. After the war, was ending she began working at the Jewel Motel Restaurant in Smithville, attending night school in Austin to become a Key Punch operator. From there she went to work for the Selective Service Board for 5 years and also at IRS. After that she attended Nixon Clay College for two years (1973-1975) and got an Associates Degree in Accounting. Then she took the Postal exam and got the job in Smithville becoming the first ever female rural carrier in the Smithville area.. She loved that job and missed delivering mail up to the end of her life.

In 1947 she met the love of her life Stan Vydrzal. They worked hard together to provide a good life for their family. Dad grew and raised our food and Mom cooked and canned most of it. She made kolaches, homemade bread and the best sausage wraps ever and her pecan pies were amazing! We had a wood stove for heat and on cold nights, Mom would warm up blankets by the stove and come wrap each one of us up in bed. She always took us to church and taught us how to pray. She worked very hard and always did so much for her children. During those years our family spent a lot of time visiting with our extended Vydrzal and Vyvjala families; grandparents, aunts, uncles and all our cousins.

Victoria was also a lifetime member of SPJST Lodge Number 38 in Kovar where she made many donations to various functions there. She also belonged to the local VFW Post 1309 for many years and always supported them as well. She loved the Veterans

Her Husband (Stan) passed away suddenly in 1958 leaving her with four children to raise, ages 16, 11, 9 and 8. She was devastated but she went to work to provide for us and made sure we had a home to live in. Mom would sit, talk and listen to us throughout all ages and stages of our lives, always offering to help and guide us thru whatever we were facing. She was the most generous mother ever. She embraced her grandchildren and great grandchildren in the same manner, she was their Mema. They were all dearly loved by her and she was so proud of her family.

In the late 60's she met her wonderful companion, Alfred Merkord, Jr. She enjoyed spending her time and life with him, they shared many wonderful memories together and he became family until his passing in 2011.

In 1983 Victoria's heart was broken when she lost her son, Leroy Vydrzal to cancer. After his death, she always said the hardest thing she had ever done was to give up her child. In 1986, she lost her Daddy, Charles Vyvjala, Sr. who lived the same length of time on this earth as she did, a couple months shy of a 100.

Vicky cared for herself most of her life; however, as she got older, Gene Grohman and Billy Vydrzal and their wives were always available if she needed them. At age 94, Victoria experienced a few health issues and decided to spend some time with her daughter and son in law (Barbara & Gary) in the Beaumont-Golden Triangle area. Her health improved and she really began enjoying her life there. We took her shopping and she drove the store carts, went out to restaurants and all kinds of celebrations, especially those honoring the Veterans, she was very Patriotic. The Senior Citizen Center in Pt Neches was a special place, she made several new friends at the center and one gentleman, Mr. David encouraged her to read and she did; she loved reading books about WWII and the military dogs.  We also locally attended a Church/Bible Study group with some wonderful Christian people; she loved them all and she loved "Praising the Lord".  Vicky faithfully watched the You Tube videos of all the services at Believer's in Christ Fellowship here in Smithville. Her daughter-in-law, Joanne Grohman is the Pastor and her son, Gene Grohman is the music minister.

Sadly life began changing after " The Pandemic" and she was learning that some of her friends were passing on and it was sad. Vicky's family had planned a huge 99th Birthday celebration for her last year and everything was cancelled because of the virus. She really missed seeing her family and friends. Every night she prayed with her daughter and after her favorite prayer, "The Lord's Prayer" every family member and friends were mentioned along with their needs and prayed for. She also prayed for them in the mornings as they traveled to work and then she read Scriptures. Victoria loved her precious Lord and Savior and was not afraid to tell anyone about Him. She loved The Old Rugged Cross, Amazing Grace and she loved The Bible. Victoria accepted Jesus Christ into her heart and  life as her Lord and personal Savior years ago and she called upon Him frequently.

The last thing she said to her daughter was "See you in the morning"

Victoria was a beautiful woman inside and out, she was strong, honest, realistic, dedicated and determined, an amazing person and a wonderful Mother and grandmother. Her absence from our lives leaves a void that will never be replaced.

Serving as Pallbearers will be, Stanley Vydrzal, Doug Vydrzal, Shane Brown, Chris Colvin, Chris Vyvjala, Doug Johnson.

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at Marrs Jones Funeral Home located at 110 American Legion Road in Smithville, Texas.

Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 7, 2021 at Marrs Jones Funeral Home with burial following at Oak Hill Cemetery in Smithville, Texas.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Victoria Vydrzal, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Sunday, June 6, 2021

Starts at 4:00 pm (Central time)

Marrs Jones Funeral Home, All Faiths of the Pines Chapel

110 American Legion Rd, Smithville, TX 78957

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Monday, June 7, 2021

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

Marrs Jones Funeral Home, All Faiths of the Pines Chapel

110 American Legion Rd, Smithville, TX 78957

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Graveside Service

Monday, June 7, 2021

Starts at 12:00 pm (Central time)

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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