"Carol, you are in my thoughts as I think of the event of your father. I think we just have to believe in the meaning of our life and look toward the resurrection at our death. I look forward to seeing you at our next reunion. God bless. Mollie"
In loving memory of
Leon Albert Maxa
August 23, 1919 - June 21, 2018
Born August 23, 1919, to James Albert and Otillia Marie Wermerschirken Maxa, Leon was one of 11 children, who grew up in the small towns and farm fields of southern Minnesota. Cherished childhood memories that would harken him back to Jordan, Minnesota, my stomping grounds in 1929 at 10 years old, and summers spent on the Wermerschirken farm helping his beloved grandpa, a young, fresh, quick, inquisitive mind rapidly absorbed the wonderment of natures mechanics and physics through his grandpas teachings of a deep love and respect for life and the earth, in tandem with a strong, unshakable moral and spiritual compass directing the way. A grown young man, life took him to Austin, TX, where after a full and satisfying life of almost 99 years, he died peacefully, a smile on his face, befittingly on the first day of summer, June 21, 2018.
Fate played a skillful hand, when a young Emily Drozd from Ennis, TX, relocated with her family to New Prague, Minnesota, where, a few years later, she and Leon met, fell in love, moved back to Ennis and married June 8, 1941. Starting a career with the Southern Pacific Railroad, an opportunity relocated them to Austin in 1945, where they loved, nurtured, and educated five children.
A machinist by trade, Leon soon became known in Austin as one of two of the best. In earlier years he was the only machinist in Austin, who had a thorough and complete knowledge of steam locomotives, and made parts that no one else could. In March 1956, he was honored and privileged to weld into place Southern Pacifics last steam locomotive engine, Number 786. Work on the railroad held his favorite memories and gave him the most satisfaction.
Hed take you fishing, hunting, frog-gigging, invite you to a backyard bar-be-que or fish fry with a side of poker or dominoes and plenty of cool ones to manage the Texas heat, sitting under the shade of prized home-grown pecan trees.
Stop in and youd find him in his trademark overalls, shelling a pecan harvest, splitting wood on a custom designed, hand-made log splitter for the Ben Franklin wood burning stove, Ben, putting finishing touches on a completely restored farm tractor or two, breaking down an engine or polishing up a restored one, tending to his organic garden, or in the kitchen canning fresh jalapenos. Stop by in the early morning for his favorite, freshly prepared biscuits and gravy and a cup of hot coffee made in a cherished 1941 drip coffee pot, a newlywed purchase that to this day makes the best coffee. He loved his coffee. He loved to cook.
Quiet moments found him and his beloved Emily on the back porch relaxing in rocking chairs after their full day of industrious and productive activity, enjoying the cool of a verdant backyard while waiting for the daily visit from their winged cardinal couple, with their beloved terrier, Max, at their side. Theyd look and watch for the dance of the squirrels, and blackbirds happily splashing in the birdbath. A respect and fondness for all Gods creatures, Leon loved dogs.
He enjoyed a good beer, a good whiskey, and the successes of his wine-making efforts. In earlier years he rolled his own cigarettes, enjoyed a favorite pipe or two, and later, knew well his Straight Longhorn Longcut. He enjoyed a good philosophical discussion. He loved his baseball.
He could spin a yarn, slowly entrancing his audience. Pulling from a cherished Czech-German heritage, his stories were rich with history (one of his loves), personal experience, and some of the most interesting and colorful characters found only in a Tom Sawyer-like novel. He was a natural.
An honest and reverent approach to life accompanied by an innate, natural charm, quick wit and inexhaustible sense of humor garnered him the love, loyalty and lasting friendships of the young and old. Always looking at the brighter side, he would stand by you. His strength would carry you. Devoutly religious and spiritual, an unshakable and everlasting faith in his God, his family, and an unwavering devotion to his Blessed Mother and St. Joseph were his hallmarks.
He was a man of incredible talents and skills. With full determination, confidence, faith, and a humble heart, he found no task impossible to approach to a satisfying completion, no challenge too difficult to conquer. He lived his life with an undying, unending faith, love, loyalty, devotion, dedication, compassion, commitment, and sacrifice for all whom he loved.
His legacy? A treasure chest. Quoting a passage from a tribute by the children to their precious Mother, his Emily, at her passing almost eight years ago, offers a glimpse: Your strength is the strength someone can count on. Your love is the love that can make the difference. Your life is a life that can move the whole world toward the good. His humble heart would have denied such, attributing all to the grace of God. Leon and Emily now walk hand in hand.
Having rapidly developed a close and unbreakable bond with staff at Stonebriar Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, he would want to leave them with this thought: What you think I gave to you pales in comparison to the love you imprinted upon my heart. Allow me to remind you of the tremendous impact your gifts to us makes on us. Let it be my gift to you to go forward with days busied with your compassion and dedication and the love and kindness you bring, and never forget the power of laughter, a good sense of humor, and friendship, and to Compassionate Care Hospice I offer my deepest gratitude.
Leon and Emily are survived by their children, daughter Carol, and her husband Pat Horyza of Bastrop, TX, daughter Marianne, and her husband Carter Morris, of Garland, TX, son Tony, and his wife Shari Maxa of Austin, TX, daughter Theresa, and her husband Ron Peterson, of Austin, TX, son David, and his wife Chris Maxa, of Spicewood, TX; six grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and fourteen great-great grandchildren.
Pallbearers are Bobby Maxa, Terry Horyza, Christopher Horyza, Rick Alvarado, Dylan Monaghan, and Camryn Maxa.
For those who wish, donations may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Paul, MN, a charity especially dear to Leons heart.
Leon and Emily offer a Czech toast to you, Na zdravi!"
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary starting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 25, 2018, at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, Texas.
A Mass service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 4600 E Ben White Blvd, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to: www.harrellfuneralhomes.com.
Tributes
"Carole and family, I know you are mourning your fathers loss, but it must be comforting to reflect on his long, happy and productive life. The beautiful obituary you wrote to honor him made me wish I had gotten to know him back in those days when we spent so much time together. Much love and deepest condolences, Claudia Morgan"
"Marianne, I never met you parents. What an interesting man your father was, I'm glad I read this tribute to his life. Kathy Purdy Pinckney"
"I have many wonderful memories of the Maxa family and happy times spent at their home."