Bessie L. (Gaidousek) Rochen

Bessie Lenora (Gaidousek) Rochen, 84, of Rosenberg, passed away peacefully at home with her oldest son Michael at her side, on December 13th, 2018. Born to John and Lenora Gaidousek of Sweet Home, Texas November 20th, 1934. She later moved to Victoria, Texas with her family before settling in Houston, Texas. She was married to Walter W. Rochen on September 13th, 1958 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Houston, Texas and resided in Orchard, Texas before moving to Rosenberg in 1960. After graduating from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1956, Bessie worked as an RN at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston and Polly Ryon Memorial Hospital (now OakBend) in Richmond, TX. She went on to work in multiple roles at the Richmond State School and retired from there as Director of Nursing in 1979. With the loss of their 21-year old daughter, Diana Rose in 1981, Bessie threw her energy into volunteering with the MADD organization. Later, she and Walter traveled the country, enjoying various locations together, including Washington, DC, Yosemite National Park, San Diego, Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore and Kalamazoo, MI, where they indulged in Walter’s love of deer hunting in a special way. She lost the love of her life, Walter, just six days after they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in September, 1998. Later in life, she had time to pursue her love of accumulating owl collectibles. Most recently, she spent much of her time preparing prayer books for her children, grandchildren, and other family and friends. In addition, she very much enjoyed her favorite TV shows, including Perry Mason, The Young and the Restless, Wheel of Fortune, and she greatly missed watching The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. As her children’s families grew, Bessie took enormous pleasure in following the achievements of her 8 granddaughters, and the arrival of her great-grandchildren Jenna Rose, Austin Taylor, and Kaydence Athena. She is preceded in death by her husband, Walter and daughter Diana Rose, as well as brother Paul H. Gaidousek. She is survived by her brother Eugene J. Gaidousek and favorite sister Mary Frances Stephens, both of Houston; her daughters: Michelle Rochen Gubbels and her husband Jeffery of Wharton, Sharon Rochen Kleas and her husband Glenn of Wharton, and sons: Michael Edward Rochen of Rosenberg, Andrew John Rochen of Smithville, and Mark Walter Rochen of Rosenberg. She is also survived by granddaughters Christina Renee Rochen of Pennsylvania, Rachel Gubbels Barriger and husband Michael of Houston, Megan Kathleen Rochen of San Marcos, Sarah Elizabeth Gubbels of Houston, Hannah Lynne Gubbels of Houston, Taylor Rochen Waid and husband Ben of Bastrop , and Katherine Rose Gubbels of Wharton, as well as three great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Pall Bearers are Frank Werner, Dennis Kostak, Donald Kruppa, Jeff Rochen, Michael Barriger, Travis Swanson, Jeff Rochen, Phillip Kleas, and Clint Kleas. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at the Davis-Greenlawn Memorial Chapel in Rosenberg with a Rosary following at 7:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am Thursday, December 20th, 2018 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, in Rosenberg, followed by interment at Davis-Greenlawn Cemetery in Rosenberg. After the graveside service, a reception will be held at the Marian Hall at Holy Rosary Church. The family respectfully asks that if you choose to, in lieu of flowers, donations in Bessie’s name be made to Holy Rosary Catholic School in Rosenberg, from which all six of her children graduated.

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Bessie L. (Gaidousek) Rochen

November 20, 1934 - December 13, 2018