TOMMIE KNESEK 1945-2024

Memorial funeral mass for Tommie Ann Mudd Knesek, age 78, of Sealy, will be held on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at 1 p.m., at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Wallis. Rev. Thuy Quang Nguyen will be celebrating the Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal. Pallbearers are Lewis Mudd, Jim Zarzour, Mark Knesek, Ryan Knesek, Gary Knesek, Justin Tielke (Husband of Granddaughter Meagan) Charlie Morlock, Craig Morlock, Shane Mudd, and Austin Mudd. Honorary pallbearers are Mason Mudd and Bradley Byrne. Deceased honorary bearers: Dennis Knesek, Mike Lane, and David Shoemake.

Tommie Ann wrote her life story and memories for us to share with you.

“I was born Tommie Ann Mudd in Shiner, TX on March 16, 1945, to parents Tommy Mudd and Eleanora Mary Warneke Mudd. I grew up on a ranch along the Guadalupe River, in Gonzales Texas. I found out later in life that I was part American Indian, through my DNA. I am very proud to be part of the Apache Nation. I had a great life, riding horses, earning my spending money by tending cattle, and helping feed 4,000 plus baby chickens before and after school. My father farmed, gardened, tended to his pecan orchard and raised chickens, for local businesses. We loved living along the river, where I picked up and sold pecans to earn extra spending money. We went camping, enjoyed cookouts and I learned my love of fishing, in the river, from my dad. Mama taught me how to cook and be a “good” girl and made sure we were always in church. I sang in the church and school choir, played the piano in church (very badly), and taught Sunday school. Life was great. I graduated from Gonzales High School in 1963, where I participated in basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and badminton and was a member of the Gonzales High School drill team. I was a member of the girls’ athletics association and president of the Future Nurses Association in high school. I loved volunteering at the local nursing home and Warm Springs Rehabilitation. I loved anything medical-related, so I worked for our local physician, Dr. David Shelby in the summers answering the phone every day, five days a week, for $25 a week. I thought I was rich, and he and his wife inspired me to go to nursing school. I attended Robert B. Green School of Nursing and Trinity University San Antonio College. After receiving my Registered Nurses license, I worked at the Robert B. Green Hospital in San Antonio, in the Pediatric Unit for Abused Children, where I learned to love the children unconditionally (so sad) and that they never wanted to go back home. I received my certificate as an instructor in Cardiac Resuscitation and my certification in ACLS, was a member of the American Red Cross, received my certificate for EMS, member of the Austin County Police Officers Ladies Auxiliary, lifetime member of the Bellville Hospital Auxiliary, and Bluebonnet Society. In addition, in my spare time, I took 36 hours of acrylic and oil painting just for fun. The horse painting, I gave to my youngest granddaughter (because she loves horses) was done as an amateur. My other two granddaughters have flowers that I painted.

I met Jim Knesek at the bus station in San Antonio, one Friday, on my way home to Gonzales for the weekend. He was attending San Antonio College Mortuary School and was on his way home to Wallis. We immediately bonded and we kept in touch throughout college. One weekend, he showed up at my parents’ house in his old car, a 1956 Chevy and he won the hearts of my dad and my mom. Reluctantly, I agreed to let him take me back to San Antonio (he was very pushy ha! ha!). I realized, after a while, that he was the love of my life and we married Aug. 21, 1965, on his birthday … that way he wouldn’t forget our anniversary. My second greatest love was working in surgery, as an RN. I loved working with all the medical personnel in Gonzales, San Antonio, Lufkin, Spring Branch, Wharton, and Bellville. I have met and loved all the people at all the hospitals that I have worked at and in all the Departments; ICU, CCU, SCU, Recovery Room, to ER Supervisor.

My greatest accomplishment was giving birth to our daughter Mandi and having my wonderful (son-tome) son-in-law Jimmy, in my life. They gave us our awesome three Granddaughters, Meagan, Lauren, and Emily.

I am survived by my husband: Jim Knesek, our daughter: Amanda (Mandi) Lynn Knesek Zarzour and her husband Jim Zarzour of Bellville, Grandchildren: Meagan (Zarzour) Tielke and Husband Justin Tielke, Lauren Zarzour, and Emily Zarzour, Great Grandson: Colson Tielke. Brother: Lewis Mudd and Wife Tami of Sealy and their Children: Austin Mudd, Shane Mudd, and wife Deanna and their children Jordan and Camden. My sister Connie Morlocks children: Charlie Morlock and his wife Brandi and their son Ziggy and Craig Morlock and his Wife Crystal and their son Mason Morlock. As well as many more relatives and friends.

I was proceeded in death by my parents, Tommy and Eleanora Mudd, my sister Connie Lea Mudd Morlock, and brothers-in-law Mike Lane and David Shoemake.”

“Whenever you see a butterfly or redbird think of Me”. — Tommie Knesek Funeral Home www.knesekfuneralhome.com Memorials: Sealy, Bellville, or Wallis Police Departments, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Guardian Angel Catholic Church, or a charity of your choice.

The Knesek family is so grateful to our family and friends, and we want to thank you all for honoring my mom, Tommie Ann Mudd Knesek. Your presence, hugs, phone calls, kind words, texts, flowers, sympathy cards, stories, sharing memories, food and fellowship is greatly appreciated. We know she is greatly loved and missed by her family, friends and the community. She always took care of others and will still be watching over us as our guardian angel.

Sincerely, Jim Knesek, Jim and Amanda Zarzour and our Knesek family.