Mildred Berger Kalinec

A native of Weimar, Texas, she grew up on a farm just south of town. As the youngest of four children, she probably escaped many of the chores, but related that she was designated as the casing holder for sausage grinding during “hog killing time”. This was definitely not an experience she looked forward to! Barely 17 when she graduated from high school, Mildred moved to Houston to attend business school.  She took with her the values and qualities she learned as a child.  Having grown up during the era of the Great Depression and World War II, she was taught by her parents to be self-sufficient, sharing and independent, as well as of a strong faith in God.  She carried all these qualities with her throughout life and they served her well.

She had to quit business school after only semester due to an illness, but with family help she persevered. She was able to find a job as a bookkeeper that allowed her to remain in Houston alongside her older sister Lorene. The two sisters enjoyed playing tennis together at Milroy Park in the Heights. She met her future husband Johnny in Houston while she was playing softball on a field near downtown.  They were married on November 23, 1946 at Holy Rosary Church in Houston.

Not long after, Johnny’s job transferred him to Beaumont, and the young couple began their new life in a new city. They welcomed their first child, John Jr., in October, 1947. Soon thereafter, the values Mildred learned in childhood became the foundation for the rest of her life. Johnny contracted tuberculosis and was hospitalized for lengthy periods of time for a number of years. She took care of her young son largely on her own with some help from family, especially Julie, Johnny’s foster sister. Mildred worked hard to help support her family during these difficult years, and she and Johnny relied heavily on their unfailing faith in God to shepherd them to better days.

Mildred and Johnny attended St. Anthony's Catholic Church and moved to the north end of Beaumont in 1954, becoming some of the first members of the new St. Pius X Parish.  There they both made many lifetime friends and were excited about the opening of the Parish School in 1959 where Brian, Mary Lou, and Jim would attend over the next ten years. Mildred worked as a bookkeeper at various times over the years for several firms in the Beaumont area including the United Way, Community Chest of Beaumont, Johnsen's Florists, Texo Laundry, and Szafir's.  But she was always there for her children--from volunteering at St. Pius X School serving lunches with the other mothers in the cafeteria, working the concession stands at Little League games, chaperoning and driving on field trips, to making snacks for Cub Scouts.  Along with her husband, Johnny, she highly valued education and was very proud that all four of her children graduated from college.

Mildred and Johnny were members of the KJZT and KJT, and both of them enjoyed friendships that would last the rest of their lives.  They had picnics, dances, and would travel around Texas for some of the conventions. They also enjoyed traveling, and went on numerous trips accompanied by family or friends.

They moved out to the Amelia area of Beaumont in 1970, and later became forming members of the new St. Jude Thaddeus Parish.  After Johnny's death in 2001, she remained a member there until she moved to College Station in 2011.

Mildred’s love and devotion to her family seemed to be the purpose of her life, and she left each child, grandchild and great-grandchild with beautiful and fun memories of her kindness and love.

Being the oldest, John was undoubtedly the first to test that motherly love with his mischievous escapades throughout his teenage years. The younger children were glad he “broke her in” because they paled in comparison (or so she thought)!

Mildred’s children treasure the memories they experienced with her throughout her life.  Mildred and Johnny accompanied John, Brian and their families to Inks Lake for a number of years for their annual camping trip (in shelters of course)! Swimming, dominoes, card games, outdoor cooking and possibly a few adult beverages made for fun times and a lot of laughs. Mildred always looked forward to that week of uninterrupted family time.

During the mid 90’s, John joined Mildred and Johnny on an incredible trip to Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and Glacier National Park. At their advancing age, they appreciated having John drive the unfamiliar and sometimes treacherous terrain, and they were so thrilled to experience the beauty and magnificence of that part of the country. They didn’t want to be limited to a planned itinerary, so sleeping accommodations were found on a daily basis. One night in particular the accommodation came with a beautiful river outside their door, but few amenities inside the cabin.  It was not much more than a hut with icy water for a shower. Mildred was a trooper and persevered, but they were all happy to leave that place behind!

In 2006, Mildred accompanied her son Brian and daughter-in-law Pam on a trip to Germany.  Mildred grew up in a household where German was spoken, and though she didn't speak it herself, she did understand what was being said.  As she traveled to Berlin, Munich, Dresden, Heidelberg, Bavaria, and her hometown's namesake of Weimar, she began to understand the conversations of the local people.  That pleased her very much, as well meeting the townsfolk and sampling the food and beverages of each region.

Brian recalls the time when he was in college when she finally revealed to him and his friend Bob how she, Dad, and Bob's parents George and Barbara conspired to limit their sons' time together when the boys were younger.  Obviously they were aware that Brian and Bob's science experiments could possibly shorten their sons' lives.  Mildred was always at least one step ahead.

She had a regular "church date" in College Station with her son Jim over the last 2 1/2 years.  Jim recalls that he got the chance to talk a lot with her and she was always there to listen.  She was a wise woman and knowing they had that time together was special to both of them.  He'll truly miss his "church buddy".

Jim also recalls the times that he used to discuss with her the country-wide trips that he and his friends Bryan and Drew took when they were 18-19 years old.  Mom remarked as they would reminisce about these trips "I can't believe we let y'all do that!!"

Mildred and Mary Lou had a unique bond in that each had 3 sons. They spent a lot of time reminiscing about the antics of all those boys, as well as commiserating about the special love a mother has for sons. They enjoyed traveling together whether it was a one-time trip to Washington to visit cousins, the annual family reunions or those fun trips to Fredericksburg. Mildred even tolerated many impromptu antique store visits that Mary Lou subjected her to on their outings together.  This was quite a sacrifice on Mildred’s part because she was not partial to antiquing!

Mildred always put the needs and feelings of others before hers, sometimes to a fault. She lived simply and frugally, with enough to be comfortable, but not extravagant. She was proud she could live independently up to her death.

In her later years, after her children were grown and on their own, she often was the shuttle for her friends to get to church or other outings. Her friends knew she would always there for them with a sympathetic ear, kind words of encouragement and remembrances on their birthdays.

Mildred was the true meaning of a kind and compassionate Christian lady who strove to pass these qualities on by example and gentle discipline.  Her faith in God sustained her throughout her days, and her love and devotion to her family was her legacy.

Mildred was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church of College Station and a member of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church while residing in Beaumont. She was an active member of the Red Hat Club with several of her close friends.

Survivors include her children, John Kalinec, Jr. and his wife, Mary Dell, of Silsbee; Brian Kalinec and his wife, Pam, of Houston; Mary Lou Price and her husband, Mark, of College Station; Jim Kalinec and his wife, Danya, of College Station; grandchildren, Jennifer James of Allen; Lauren Swift of Santa Fe; Kerri Clark of Houston; Matthew Price; Adam Price, both of Austin; Daniel Price, Hillary Hatley, Natalie Hatley and Austin Hatley of College Station; and Katherine Kalinec of The Woodlands; great-grandchildren, Hunter Swift; Nicholas Swift, both of Santa Fe; and Camryn James of Allen; and nieces and nephews Gloria O'Neill, Franklin Berger, Barbara Janner, Alton Stuchlik, Allan Stuckey, and Cindy Taylor.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of fifty-four years, John Kalinec, Sr.; parents, Joseph and Emma Berger; brothers, Leon Berger and George Berger; and sister, Lorene Berger Stuchlik.

A Rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m., with a gathering to follow until 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 1, 2016, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 2, 2016, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38148, to Some Other Place, P.O. Box 843, Beaumont, Texas 77704, or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank the nursing staff and respiratory therapists at College Station Medical Center for their compassionate care of our mom.