Helen S. Hruska

Helen (Sula) Hruska, age 96, of West, formerly of Clifton, passed away Tuesday evening, October 29, 2013 at Providence Health Center in Waco. A rosary will be recited and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 4, 2013 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Boniface Onjefu as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Helen was born October 1, 1917 in West, the daughter of Vinc and Angeline (Vanzura) Sula. She was a graduate of St. Mary's School, West High School, and valedictorian of her Senior Class. After High School she graduated from both 4-C Business College and the University of Texas in 1941. Helen obtained 5 degrees after High School, 2 from University of Texas (UT), one in Physical Education, and one in Czech Languages, while working her way through school. While attending UT, Helen was a classmate and became friends with Cactus Pryor, the longtime radio commentator on KLBJ. On October 19, 1944 she was united in marriage to John Lee Hruska in West, a WWII Army/Army AirCorp/Air Force Veteran. During World War II, Helen worked for several different military bases in Texas as a Civil Servant for the Department of Defense helping to support the war efforts. Helen also helped run two different country stores together with John Lee, one in Possum Kingdom, and another in Lake Whitney, where she also managed the bookkeeping, while taking care of her family. Helen was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan and loved watching all football games. She also enjoyed reading, gambling and playing bingo. Helen was a former member of the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Clifton for 40 years and a current member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. She was also a member of St. Mary's Ladies Altar Society. Helen Hruska was the Matriarch of the Sula family. She mentored both her younger sisters, and helped pay for their post high school education at University of Texas. She also helped her parents run both her father's businesses, a Gas Station and a Meat Market in West, while growing up. She was a model daughter by helping her mother Angeline Sula in her older years. She will be sorely missed by all members of her family. John Lee preceded her in death on February 17, 1988. Helen is also preceded in death by her parents; her son, John Stephen Hruska; sisters, Margaret Leona (Sula) Depew and husbands Ramon S. Ray Jr. and Don Depew, Lillian Francis (Sula) Law and husband Hugh Edwin Law; and nephew, Bruce John Luscin. Survivors include a son, Jimmy Lee Hruska of Waco; nieces and nephews, Richard Roy & Judith Law of Saffard, AZ, John William Law & Christina Harbridge-Law & son Sebastian of San Francisco, CA, Patricia Katherine (Law) Luscin of Austin & son Brett Hugh Luscin of Dunnellon, NJ, and LTjg Jean Clare Law of Elgin, Donna Ray Spahn and her sons, James Spahn and wife Carolyn and their children Jamie and Jack, Dutch Spahn and children Bailey and Peyton of Crested Butte, CO, Connie Ray Guerrieri and sons, Steven Guerrieri and wife Maggie, and children Sarah Ring and husband Alex, William Guerrieri and his children Molly and Kathryn of Gunnison, Co, Kevin Guerrieri and wife Ingrid of San Diego, CA, Susan Ray Gressett and husband Gary and daughters, Sarah Ussery and husband Josh and their son Wyatt of Waxahachie, Jessica Jackson and husband Tyler of Drumright, OK, Bill Ray and wife Chom and children, Billy Ray and wife Erica and their children Billy and Robyn Ray of Colorado Springs, CO, Robert Ray and wife Margaret and sons, Tyler Ray and wife Danielle and their son, Braxton and Justin Ray of Spring Creek, NV, Ramon Ray and wife Renee and children, Cody Ray and wife Kim and daughter Miley of Roseburg, OR, Nick Ray of Gunnison, CO, and Kylie Ray of Roseburg, OR. Pallbearers are Gary Vrba, Ryan Vrba, Katherine Vrba, Chief Jason Campbell, GM1 Michael Irving, HT2 Billy Matsen and HM3 Michael Ollares. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's School Endowment Fund.