Mary Jane Motl Kaiser

Mary Jane Kaiser, 85, went to be with our Lord on January 1, 2025, the feast day of The Solemnity of Mary. She was born in El Campo on July 17, 1939 to Robert Joseph and Lillian Blinka Motl. She attended school in El Campo and graduated from El Campo High School in 1957. She received her associates degree from Wharton County Jr. College. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Sam Houston State University in 1961. While at ECHS, Mary Jane was a proud Ricebird varsity cheerleader all four years in high school and head cheerleader her senior year. She and Hubert Burl Kaiser dated all through high school and on August 14, 1961 they married in a beautiful ceremony at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church. Their life together was one of faith, service, compassion, and mentorship. Mary Jane found her purpose by teaching others and helping them realize their full potential. In 1960, Mary Jane began her teaching career in Austin, Texas at St. Elmo Elementary. She and Hubert taught in Ganado from 1962-1964. She continued her career as an elementary school educator in El Campo. After serving as Math Coordinator at El Campo Northside Elementary, she returned to her love as an English & Language Arts teacher from which she retired in 2002 after 34 years of teaching. She loved her years with these young minds, as she guided and urged them to explore as they learned. She was delighted in watching them reach new goals and expand their language and reading expertise. She was completely dedicated to her students. When children’s families lacked resources to purchase school supplies, Mary Jane would buy these herself. She especially loved helping her children design shirts, practice, then compete in the end-of-school-year Northside Field Days where ECISD elementary school children played games and spiritedly competed for prizes. Mary Jane continued sharing her gifts with her son, other children in El Campo, and her grandchildren over the years. Hosting and attending her grandchildren’s birthdays, athletic events, and school performances enriched her life. As a mother and loving wife, she enjoyed going on family camping adventures with other families. She and Hubert took great joy in attending their son’s El Campo Little League Games and then the ECHS football games with the Knesek, Soechting, Swanson, and Holub families sitting all together each year up by the press box; her son’s El Campo High School marching and symphony band performances; her son’s Longhorn Marching Band performances at all University of Texas football games, bowl games, presidential inauguration parades, and symphony orchestra performances at the Houston Wortham Center and across the State of Texas. She continued her love and support of the Texas Longhorns attending games with Jan & Kenny Goff and Shanna & Jason Sulak for years to come. In 1978, she and Hubert created the Kaiser family home with their son, and other close friends. To this day, it represents a Kaiser family work of art reflecting the countless hours of hard work, fun, and camaraderie brought to fruition. Fun times and memories continue to abound. Mary Jane was an active member of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, St. Philip Catholic School, and served as Chairman of The Holy Cross Memorial Park Cemetery Committee from its inception through 2024. She was a lifelong Catholic and proud member of The Catholic Daughters of America Court #1374. Mary Jane made incredible community contributions leaving a legacy across El Campo. Beginning in the late 1960s, she and her husband, Hubert, were instrumental in transforming the Holy Cross Memorial Park Cemetery into a beautiful, peaceful, and fulfilling experience that our community celebrates each time they honor their loved ones. As head of the Cemetery Committee, she was instrumental in creating and leading an extraordinarily successful fundraising campaign. The outcome is the beautiful Committal Chapel. Her graveside services will be held in this Committal Chapel. Given the anticipated cold weather, those in attendance will benefit from this warm, wind-proof crown jewel at the Holy Cross Memorial Park Cemetery. Mary Jane’s community contributions also include creation of The El Campo Friendship Park; establishment of the Keep EC Beautiful Board & “Bees” with her husband; complete makeover of Evans Park in downtown El Campo; development of the Senior Heritage Center where she and her husband, Hubert, led fundraisers and volunteered. She was also an active contributor to countless local, state, and national non-profit charities, committees, and political campaigns. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Hubert Burl Kaiser, in October; parents and brother Robert Motl. She survived by their son Michael Brent; grandchildren Elizabeth, Michael, and Nathaniel Kaiser; sister-in-law Peggy Motl and her brother-in-law Marvin Kaiser and wife Lorna. Visitation will be held at Triska Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Services will be at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 8, where visitation will continue from 9:00 – 9:30 am, followed by a Rosary led by the Catholic Daughters of America Court #1374. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 am with Bishop Gary Janak officiating. Her rite of burial and committal will follow at The Holy Cross Memorial Park Committal Chapel. Serving pallbearers: her son, Brent; grandsons Michael and Nathaniel Kaiser; nephew, Glenn Motl; Kenny Goff; Jason Sulak. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that all donations be made to Holy Cross Memorial Park Cemetery Fund: 304 W. Church Street; El Campo, TX 77437. The family extends a special thank you to both Angels Care Home Health (Melinda Catete; Angela Machart) and Angels Care Hospice (Cathy Zimmerman, Jessica Bliff, Andrea Garza, June Moore, and Pamela Jackson).

Mary Jane Motl Kaiser

July 17, 1939 - January 1, 2025

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Mary Jane Motl Kaiser

July 17, 1939 - January 1, 2025

365 Days of Grief Support

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