Caroline Ann Rejcek
Caroline Ann Rejcek, age 76, was born on April 15, 1946, in Ennis, Texas, to Dorothy and Willie “Bill” Zaidle. She peacefully passed in the comfort of her home into the arms of her Lord and Savior on April 11, 2023. She grew up as a young girl in Ennis, Texas. She tells stories about having to “hide from the revenuers” in a secret compartment in the floor when she was about four or five years old at her uncle’s moonshine still site. As she grew her family later moved to Lancaster, Texas where she helped her grandparents with their grocery store. She told us that she remembers slicing lunchmeats and handing out candy to children behind that counter. She graduated from Lancaster High School in 1964.
Carol married Leo Rejcek on August 8, 1964, and they made their home in Dallas, Texas. She claims she was a little overwhelmed at first with the size of Leo’s family, but soon became another Rejcek in the bunch. Three years later they welcomed a daughter, Kimberly Ann. In 1978, the little family moved back to Carol’s birthplace in Ennis, Texas. For a couple of years, she and Leo traveled to Dallas to work, and they communicated by CB radio to and from work. Her “handle” was “The Secretary” and his was “The Fix-it Man.” Throughout her life she worked as a secretary, personnel director, floral designer and was a business owner of C & L Car Wash, The Gift Boutique, and finally The Garden Gate Floral and Gifts where she showcased her creative talents.
Carol wore many hats throughout her lifetime as daughter, wife, Mother, Meme, and later in life as a caregiver to her husband. She enjoyed reading, gardening, was a people person, and loved drinking Dr. Peppers, but most of all spending time with her family.
Carol was a member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Our Lady of the Bluebonnets, the KJZT, the SPJST, and The Ennis Garden Club. She was an avid volunteer throughout her life and believed in serving others first and foremost. Her passion; however, was her unwavering faith in God. Those who knew and loved Carol know about her many battles with cancer in her 30’s and 40’s. In her 70’s when she was told her heart was soon to stop ticking, she took it in stride and said that she was grateful for all the extra years the Good Lord gave her with her family and friends on earth. Her bible, prayer booklets, and rosaries were always surrounding her.
Carol is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leo Rejcek, father Bill Zaidle, sister Linda Collard, brother Danny Zaidle, grandparents, many sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-laws, nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her daughter Kim and husband Tommy Pechal, granddaughter Sydney Pechal and Sydney’s fiancé Ben Heil, mother Dorothy Zaidle, brother Randall Zaidle, a handful of sister-in-laws, a brother-in-law, cousins, several nieces and nephews, and a handful of Godchildren. We can’t forget the three special Chihuahuas that were always by her side: Charlie, Frankie, and Johnnie.
Carol’s visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18th, with a Rosary at 7 p.m. lead and recited by her fellow Catholic Daughters, at Boze Mitchell McKibbin Funeral Home in Ennis, Texas. Her funeral will be held at 10 a.m. at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church with entombment following at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her nephews Randee Rotramel, Conner Rejcek, Wallace Maloney, Justin Kopec, Randall Rejcek and Jeremy Veselka.
Carol loved flowers but donations can also be made to Catholic Daughters of the Americas Scholarship Fund and St. Joseph Cemetery both in Ennis, Texas.
Arrangements are under the direction of Boze Mitchell McKibbin funeral home 800 S. Kaufman St., Ennis, TX 75119.
