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Geraldine "Gerry" Drgac Siptak was born February 3, 1921 in Caldwell to Frank B. and Lydia Schiller Drgac. Gerry attended Caldwell schools, was a proud member of the Caldwell High School Band, and was active in several clubs and groups.

After graduation from Caldwell High School, she attended Texas Women's University in Denton where she was in the symphony orchestra and played the timpani in the percussion section and also played the violin and string bass. She was elected "Miss Congeniality" in her dormitory. In 1940, Gerry was elected "Miss Caldwell" in a pageant held at the Caldwell High School auditorium and went on to represent Caldwell in the "Miss Texas" pageant held in Corpus Christi.

Upon her return to Caldwell from college, she was employed by First State Bank of Caldwell as a bookkeeper/cashier. She was the first female employee in a bank in Caldwell.

In 1944, Gerry married Robert Siptak and began a union that lasted 58 years with her fun-loving husband. After Robert was discharged from the military, the young couple purchased Siptak Drug Store in downtown Caldwell. The store became Siptak-Pargac Pharmacy in 1949. Gerry was co-owner and co-manager of the business and worked at the drug store for over 38 years.

Many people remember her concern and helpfulness at the drug store and the sodas and sundaes that she made at the soda fountain there. During these same years, the Siptaks had a daughter, Pamela, and built their home on Buck Street in Caldwell. Gerry was a room mother, activity organizer and encourager as she helped with many school activities and projects. She had many home movies of field trips, dance recitals, parades, parties and football games.

Gerry had been a member of First United Methodist Church since 1937 (78 years) where she served as a children's Sunday School teacher for 16 years, sang in the choir, participated in United Methodist women, served on the Administrative Council and actively participated in the Senior's Group.

She was one of the founders and a volunteer at Caldwell Christian Store since it opened in 1988. A charter member of Caldwell-Burleson County Lions Club, she actively served in the group since 1989. She was also a participating member of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 4458 and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 451 with over 60 years of continuous service in each organization. Gerry was also a member of SPJST Lodge 17 and the Burleson County Czech Heritage Society.

Her love for people kept her active, and her enthusiasm and energy helped to brighten many days. She was nominated to be Burleson County's Citizen of the Year in 2007.

Gerry was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Siptak; her parents, Frank and Lydia Drgac; a brother, Franklin Drgac and a sister, Doris Chervenka.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Bill Smith of Longview; two grandsons, Justin Smith and Travis Smith; a brother, Colbert Drgac of Caldwell and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

(Published by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home of Caldwell, TX)

Geraldine married Robert Charles Siptak 20 Mar 1944, Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA. Robert was born 13 Jan 1920, Caldwell, Burleson County, Texas, USA; died 20 Jul 2002, Caldwell, Burleson County, Texas, USA; was buried 23 Jul 2002, Masonic Cemetery - Caldwell, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet]

1. P.A. Siptak

Frank married Lydia Matilda Schiller 9 Oct 1906, Caldwell, Burleson County, Texas, USA. Lydia was born 17 Feb 1888, Nelsonville, Austin County, Texas, USA; died 9 Sep 1979, Caldwell, Burleson County, Texas, USA; was buried 11 Sep 1979, Masonic Cemetery - Caldwell, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet]

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Mrs. Lydia Matilda Drgac, who passed away Sunday, September 9, 1979 in the Leisure Lodge Nursing Home in Caldwell, Texas.

Sister Drgac was born February 17, 1888 in Nelsonville, Texas to Joseph O. and Matilda Schiller. She moved to Caldwell at an early age. She was married to Frank B. Drgac in Caldwell on October 9, 1906. She was a member of the Caldwell Brethren Church and a charter member of the Christian Sisters.

She is survived by two sons, Franklin Drgac of Cameron and Colbert Drgac of Caldwell; two daughters, Mrs. John (Doris) Grabow of Brenham and Mrs. Robert (Geraldine) Siptak of Caldwell; one brother, Alvin L. Schiller, Sr. of Bryan; one sister, Mrs. Gardena Mills of Austin and seven grandchildren.

Her husband preceded her in death March 14, 1968. Also, preceding her in death were four brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services were held September 11 in the Phillips-Luckey Chapel with the Rev. Henry E. Beseda officiating. Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery.

To the loved ones and to our beloved sister, we wish eternal rest and may her memory be honored unto eternity.

(Published in The Vestnik SPJST Herald on October 3, 1979)

Obituary:

DRGAC, Mrs. Lydia M., 91, of Caldwell, died Sunday. Services 3 p.m. today at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Caldwell. Burial, Caldwell Masonic Cemetery. Survivors: sons, Franklin Drgac of Cameron, Colbert Drgac of Caldwell; daughters, Mrs. John (Doris) Grabow of Brenham, Mrs. Robert (Geraldine) Siptak of Caldwell; brother, Alvin L. Schiller Sr. of Bryan; sister, Mrs. Gardena Mills of Austin; seven grandchildren.

(Published in The Austin American-Statesman on September 11, 1979)

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Death Claims An Aged Citizen of Burleson County

Death yesterday morning claimed the life of Mr. Joseph Drgac, Sr., aged 82, one of the county's elderly and highly respected citizens. Mr. Drgac died at the home of Joe Drgac, Jr., one of his sons. Funeral services will be held from Joe Drgac, Jr's. family residence at Cooks Point today at 1:00 p.m.

Mr. Drgac came to this county a long number of years ago and resided here continuously. He was one of the county's most successful farmers up until he retired on account of his age. He reared a large family. Those surviving him are: J.D. Drgac, John, Frank and Peter, sons, and Mrs. J.V. Sebesta, Mrs. Frank Bednar and Mrs. Joe Skrivanek, daughters.

(Published in The Caldwell News and The Burleson County Ledger on November 13, 1931)

Joseph married Anna Mynar 14 Sep 1869, Washington County, Texas, USA. Anna was born 10 Aug 1850, Austria; died 23 Mar 1920, Caldwell, Burleson County, Texas, USA; was buried , Slovak Cemetery - Caldwell, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet]

Joseph — Verunka Dubcak. Verunka (daughter of Johann Dubcak and Anna Plsek) was born 1819, Moravia, Austria-Hungary; died 11 Jan 1897, Port Lavaca, Calhoun County, Texas, USA; was buried , Six Mile Cemetery - Port Lavaca, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet]