Celeste Jerry Ann Ondrusek Pakebusch

Celeste Jerry Ann Ondrusek Pakebusch, fondly known to her family as “Sweetie” and to her grandchildren as “Mammaw”, passed away very suddenly on Monday afternoon, April 21, 2025 in Corpus Christi, TX. She was the fifth of six children born to Anton Emil Ondrusek and Isabella Kasper Ondrusek on February 12, 1932. She was raised on her parent’s farm outside Alice, Texas, and remained a lifetime member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church despite her recent relocation to Corpus Christi, Texas. She graduated from William Adams High School in 1950, as Valedictorian of her senior class. On October 5, 1954 she married Ralph L. Pakebusch at St Elizabeth’s. All of their children were baptized at St. Elizabeth’s and all attended St. Elizabeth School. In later years Ralph Pakebusch became a convert to the Catholic Faith at St. Elizabeth’s. Celeste also worked many years in the Jim Wells County Courthouse in Alice and for Fred Richards at Crystal Oil Company.

As a couple, Ralph and Celeste enjoyed going to local dances and Celeste was gracious enough to share her husband’s dancing prowess with some of the ladies who might not have partners that night. Some may remember that Celeste/Sweetie was known for her Christmas treats that included Homemade Fudge, Trash Party Mix, and Sausage Balls among other dishes. She was also, quite the photographer and loved taking lots of pictures at all different kinds of occasions, and then printing out copies of those pictures for those in attendance. The Homemade Fudge and photography were often blue-ribbon winners in the Jim Wells County Fair. Everyone in the family looked forward to their birthdays for there was sure to be a special birthday card from “Aunt Sweetie” with perhaps a piece of gum inside.

And in later years, Mammaw very much enjoyed picking up her grands from school and visiting with them until it was time for them to rejoin their parents. Perhaps most notable was her longtime admiration for George Strait! She was President of the George Strait Fan Club of South Texas, was an extra in George’s movie, Pure Country, and went to the Ft. Worth Mother’s Day filming of the “Dusty” concert. After her move to the Brookdale Senior Living facility, she started painting and grew to really love that art form and wished she could do it every day! She also played poker and dominoes on a regular basis.

Mrs. Pakebusch is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her siblings/in-laws: Elizabeth (Joe) Eicher, Alice (Vlad) Spicak, Dan Ondrusek, Dorothy Byrne Bednarski, Ed Byrne and Jim Gilbert.

Survivors include her sister Kathryn Gilbert, Sister-in-law Jacquiline Ondrusek, children Stephen L. Pakebusch (Debra), Mary Ann Pakebusch, and Michael W. Pakebusch (Trisha), grandchildren Melissa Guevara (Michael), S. Mayes Pakebusch (Iris), Ryan Pakebusch, Jackie Dreier, Lauren (Mike) Smith, and Ryan (Tassie) Dreier, and great grandchildren Emery Lynn Pakebusch, Henry Mayes Pakebusch, Ryder Smith, Landry Smith, Anna Beth Dreier, Nora Dreier, and Scout Dreier and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with the Holy Rosary to be recited at 6:00 PM at Holmgreen Mortuary 2061 E. Main St. Alice, TX. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, May 2, 2025 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church 603 E. Fifth St, Alice, Texas at 10:00 AM. Christian Burial will follow at Alice Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the Brookdale Senior Living Staff for the kind and compassionate care given to their mother during her time there.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church 603 E. Fifth St., Alice, TX or St. Elizabeth Catholic School, 615 E. Fifth St., Alice, TX 78332

Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 E. Main Street, Alice, Texas.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com and shared via Holmgreen Mortuary Facebook.

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