| Notes |
- Obituary:
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)
|
1921 - 2015 (94 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
