Thelma Jean Hrncir

Thelma Jean Hrncir, age 92, died peacefully on November 14, 2024, with her family at her side. Thelma was a believer in Christ and a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and piano teacher. She was also a district seven director in the S.P.J.S.T. fraternal life insurance company for 12 years.

Thelma was born in Robstown, Texas on December 7, 1931 to Anastazie Estelle (Stella) and Rudolph Mrazek. She also had four older brothers. She relates a memory of her tenth birthday celebration being interrupted with the news of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. All four of her older brothers served in the military during World War II and fortunately all returned home safely. She was valedictorian of the Robstown High School class of 1949. After attending Delmar College on a music scholarship, Thelma started her career as a lifelong piano teacher. On December 7, 1952, Thelma married Eugene Frank Hrncir after he returned home from the Korean War. The couple had four children: David, Connie, Brent and Angie, and were well known around the Robstown area. Eugene, better known as Gene, farmed cotton and grain on family land northwest of Robstown with his brothers. Thelma had a very busy piano teaching career. She ventured into teaching group classes. And, she believed that learning piano could raise a child’s IQ.

Thelma and Jean were active members at First Presbyterian Church of Robstown and Jackson Woods Presbyterian Church. Thelma taught Sunday school and served as an elder of the church. 

In addition, Thelma led a very active role in SPJST youth work. The “Spe-jest” was a refurbished old school bus that became the “youth club bus.” Robstown youth have fond memories of riding that bus to the beach, camps, Astrodome, orchestra, concerts, and Easter sunrise services at the bay. In 1978, Thelma was elected District 7 director of the SPJST. She was the first female elected as a director in the company.

In 1974, the family moved to the Tuloso Midway area where Thelma continued in her piano teaching career. In August 2000, Thelma and Jean pursued their lifelong dream of living in Estes Park, Colorado. They “moved out west” and enjoyed several years, both participating as volunteer tour guides for the area. In 2003, Thelma felt led to help in the care of a newborn granddaughter in Dyersburg, Tennessee. The couple moved to Dyersburg and became active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Three years later, the couple returned to Estes Park. On February 1, 2008, Gene died of cancer in Colorado. Thelma returned to Dyersburg where she lived close to Connie and family. In her retirement, she continued to teach piano, play bridge, avidly read Christian literature, and wrote many encouraging letters to friends and family. 

In October 2020, a stroke slowed Thelma down though she remained happy and smiling throughout. In January 2024, her family moved Thelma to the SPJST skilled nursing facility in Taylor, Texas. This nursing home had a long history with the family as Gene had once been on the board of directors for the SPJST nursing homes for many years. In addition, Thelma‘s mother had also been a resident of the Taylor facility. Thelma remained faithful with a beautiful spirit and a beautiful smile as her health declined. She died on November 14, 2024 with her children by her bedside.

She is proceeded in death by her spouse of 65 years, Eugene Frank Hrncir, her mother Anastazie Estelle Mrazek, her father Rudolph Mrazek, four brothers (Raymond, Henry Joe, Jerome, and Lincoln Delfin). She also is proceeded by a stillborn grandbaby, Casey Joe Smith.

Surviving family include her four children and their spouses, David Eugene Hrncir and spouse Judy, Constance Diane Smith and spouse Tim, Brent Rudolph Hrncir and spouse Pam, and Angela Jean Henderson and spouse Jason. She also has 12 grandchildren: Daniel Brent Hrncir, Cole Timothy Smith and spouse Beth, Cory Eugene Smith, Chelsea Rose Varble and spouse Andrew, Cassidy Noel Smith, Matthew David Hrncir and spouse Cameron, Samuel Jacob Hrncir, Hannah Rose Hrncir, Abigail Grace Hrncir, Elizabeth Faith Hrncir, Taylor Layne Henderson, and Lauryn Grace Henderson. In addition, she has many nieces, nephews and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Fund, Jackson Woods Presbyterian Church, or Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 2 PM at Jackson Woods Presbyterian Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.