Ellen "Nancy" Smetana

Ellen “Nancy” Smetana, 80, of Rowena passed away Wednesday, July 24 at Central Texas Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Ballinger.

She was born on August 9, 1932 in Westphalia to Bernard “Slim” and Olga (Lange) Kasberg. Ellen graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School and later married Ralph John Smetana, Sr. on May 6, 1952 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena, Texas. They shared fifty eight years together before Ralph’s passing in 2010.

She worked for twenty years, as a rug weaver, at Ingrid’s Custom Rugs in Paint Rock. Ellen was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She loved gardening and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, and a sister.

Ellen is survived by eight children; Debra Stewart and husband, Jock of San Angelo, Cindy Carpenter and husband, Tim of Veribest, E’Lisa Smetana of Abilene and friend James Gilbreath of Christoval, Ralph Jr. and fiancée, Vickie of Sonora, Glenn and wife, Cheryl of Eola, Clyde and wife, Melissa of Veribest, Wayne and wife, Becky of Eola, and Chris and wife, Lynda of Ingleside. Also surviving is a sister, Carrol Fischer of Veribest; and seventeen grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Rosary Service will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday, July 26 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, July 27 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Aerial Lagunilla celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Meals on Wheels, Ballinger Hospice, Alzheimer Association, or any favorite charity. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Central Texas Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the staff of Ballinger Hospice for their exceptional and loving care of Nancy.