In Memoriam

their own way when shopping for their sweethearts, some of the more traditional gifts remain wildly popular. In its survey, the NRF found that these go-to gifts maintained their status as the most popular items for individuals to show their love for that special someone in 2022:

Candy

Fifty-six percent of survey respondents indicated they planned to buy candy for their sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. Though any candy can suffice, chocolates inside a heart-shaped box tend to be especially popular in midFebruary.

Greeting Cards

Greeting cards will likely never go out of style, as 40 percent of respondents indicated they would give a card in 2022.

Flowers

The appeal of a bouquet is undeniable, prompting 37 percent of shoppers to give flowers on Valentine’s Day.

A Night Out

A romantic night out is perhaps as meaningful as ever in a world still emerging from the pandemic. So it’s no surprise that 31 percent of respondents indicated they planned to take their sweethearts out for a night on the town in 2022.

Jewelry

Though it might rank below the others on this list, jewelry remains a goto gift on Valentine’s Day. And with total Valentine’s Day spending on jewelry estimated at more than $6 billion in 2022, this could be where most Valentine’s Day dollars go this February. (MS) —SPJST—

In Memory of Helen Gustafson

Helen Ray (Newstrom) Gustafson, age 89, of Elgin, Texas, fell asleep in Jesus’ arms and entered Eternal Glory with God the Holy Trinity on Sunday, January 8, 2023.

Visitation was Friday, January 13 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, followed by a celebration of life at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Carl Roth officiating. Helen Ray Gustafson Interment followed at Elgin Cemetery. A reception followed interment at the church.

Helen Ray was born on January 16, 1933, in Taylor. She was baptized into God’s Kingdom on May 23, 1937, at Methodist Episcopal Church in Austin. She was confirmed in May 1948, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor. Her confirmation verse was Romans 5:8.

She graduated from Taylor High School with the Class of 1951. She worked at Taylor Bedding Mfg. Co. in Taylor, Southwestern Camera Company in Houston, Nash Phillips Copus in Austin, and Elgin Bank of Texas in Elgin. She was joined in holy matrimony to Ervin Edgar “Curly” Gustafson on April 22, 1956, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lund.

She was a member of SPJST Lodge 18, Elgin.

Helen Ray was preceded in death by her parents, David G. and Milda A. Newstrom; brother Eden Newstrom; sister Alice Newstrom Kovar; and the love of her life, Ervin “Curly” Gustafson, who went before her into eternal life on March 3, 1994.

She is survived by her caregivers and good friends, Larry and Nancy Axelson and Paul and Sandra Mogonye; cousins Betty Creecy, Beverly Snowden, Dale

Emil, was the younger of identical twins, born in Ennis on the family farm, on September 12, 1930. Emil spent much of his youth attending Ennis public schools and as a member of St. Johns Catholic Church in Ennis. Emil was a graduate of Jesuit High School in Dallas, class of 1949. Emil has been a lifelong member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, in Dallas. As a dedicated Catholic, Emil volunteered at the church and served as an usher for more than two decades. Emil was a member of SPJST Lodge 84, Dallas and KJT in Ennis for more than 50 years. He regularly attended Czech events in Ennis with his family and loved celebrating his culture and love of Czech music. Emil had a love of photography and was our family photographer, many of the memories we have are because of his love to capture those special family moments.

Emil had a fascination and talent for electronics and worked for Sears and Roebuck for more than 30 years as a technician servicing North Texas market, where he was recognized often for providing excellent service to his customers. It was often said, he never met a stranger, and it couldn’t be truer, he was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it, loved his family and had a wonderful life.

Married for more than 62 years, Emil was preceded in death by his parents, Frank J. Horak and Emily Laza Horak; and twin brother Frank L. Horak of Dallas; and many aunts, uncles, and grandparents of Ennis and Dallas.

Emil is survived by wife Vanora Pokorny Horak; son Emil Horak Jr. and wife Elizabeth Perez; grandchildren Holley Horak and longtime boyfriend Ron Brantley; grandson Ryan Horak; and nieces Julie Horak and Jennifer Horak and their husbands, Christopher Kobos and Jason Pali.

Arrangements were under the direction of Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home in Dallas. The family asked to offer a remembrance mass for Emil at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ennis or St. Pius X Catholic Church in Dallas. —SPJST—

Kessel, Glen and Mickey Dale Newstrom, Eileen Newstrom, and Bradley and Tina Newstrom; and nieces Joyce Elaine Riddles, Wanda Kaye Remmert, and Karen Loew.

Pallbearers were Kyle Mogonye, Darren Mogonye, Bradley Newstrom, Dale Kessel, Darron Snowden, and Brian Snowden.

Honorary pallbearers were Larry Axelson, Paul Mogonye, Ervin Becker, Gilbert Kubicek, Mike Mogonye, Chuck Fromme, Larry Wayne Becker, and Carl Newstrom (deceased).

Helen Ray expressed her wish that memorials be given in her name to Grace Lutheran Church, 801 West 11th Street, Elgin, Texas 78621; SPJST Scholarship Fund, PO Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503; or to the charity of one’s choice.

—SPJST—

In Memory of Emil J. Horak

Emil J. Horak, passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, December 29, 2022, with family by his side.

A rosary was held Wednesday, January 11 at 7 p.m. at SparkmanCrane Funeral Home in Dallas. Visitation was at 5 p.m. The funeral mass was at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Dallas on Thursday, January 12 at 10:30 a.m. Burial and graveside interment was in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Ennis at 12 p.m. on Thursday, January 12 where Emil was reunited with his parents, Frank J. Horak and Emily Laza Horak.

Emil J. Horak