In Loving Memory

Alphonse Kwiatkowski

Alphonse Kwiatkowski
June 16, 1941
February 15, 2023
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Obituary

Alphonse Kwiatkowski, 81, passed away on February 15, 2023 in his home on the couch he loved. He passed 2 weeks after his sweet granddaughter Lauren which was 2 years to the day that his wife Mary had passed and these are 2 ladies that he loved very much. The family feels confident he is with them now. Alphonse was born on June 16, 1941 in Brenham, Texas to Stanley and Mary Kwiatkowski. He attended Wesley schools until they closed and then went to St. Mary’s Catholic School through the 7th grade and became a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brenham. He worked at Steadley Company in Brenham but had to retire early due to severe migraine headaches and later was able to work doing a variety of jobs such as catching and selling fish and butchering animals for the fair.

His hobbies included fishing with his biggest catch being a 64 pound catfish in the Brazos River, gardening while challenging himself to grow the biggest watermelons around, watching football with his favorite team being the Miami Dolphins, being a self taught videographer making funny videos including one with a duck riding on a lawnmower, feeding and watching birds with his own homemade hummingbird food, car trading and working on old model cars, raising rabbits and chickens. He loved his animals especially his dog Butler that was his fishing buddy for many years until he went to Heaven and then enjoyed his final feline companion named Gizmo. He was a great cook and had a great mopping sauce recipe made with a can of beer. He took the time to teach his children many life skills including changing tires and oil on their vehicles, fishing, hunting, shooting, trapping, how to shoot pool and play his favorite card games Crow and Pitch. In his early years he loved beer but later gave it up for two Dr. Peppers a day. When his wife became ill, he became a very compassionate and loving caregiver for her, even though he was ill as well. They would pray the rosary on a daily basis which he continued after her passing. He was a man of few words but one phrase he used frequently was “if there is a will, there is a way.” These were words he lived by everyday as he fought to live until the Good Lord called him home.

Alphonse is preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Kovar Kwiatkowski and beautiful granddaughter, Lauren Kainer, his parents Stanley and Mary Kwiatkowski. He is survived by his children; Liz Kainer, John Kwiatkowski and Kathryn Tamez and her husband Demetrio, his grandchildren; Jared Kainer and Blaine Tamez, brother Willie Kwiatkowski and wife Florence and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation for Alphonse will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 11 am to 3 pm at Brenham Memorial Chapel. A rosary will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023 at 1:15 pm with the funeral mass beginning at 2 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church located at 701 Church Street, Brenham, Texas with burial to follow at Calvary Catholic cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Jared Kainer, Blaine Tamez, Demetrio Tamez, Mike Kovar, Glenn Kovar and David Kovar.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel and online condolences may be shared with the family at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer to receive assistance with funeral and remaining medical expenses.

The family would like to thank all who provided great and compassionate care for him including Dr. Eric Alford, Dr. Anthony Zacharia, all the staff at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Brenham and College Station, First Texas Home Health of Sealy, Brazos Valley Hospice of Bryan/Brenham and Holistic Care of Bellville.