Julia Pena Jonse

Julia Pena Jonse, age 89, of Elgin was called home to her eternal rest on Tuesday, December 5, 2017.  She passed peacefully in her sleep and into the arms of her heavenly father.

Julia was born October 9, 1928 in Elgin, Texas to Julio and Alberta Pena.  On November 1, 1952, she married Paul Jonse and from this union had six children.  She retired from Travis State School in Austin, Texas after twenty years.

Julia enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens, being around her grandchildren, and traveling.  She loved cooking and baking for her family and was well known for her delicious tamales, homemade sweet breads. salsas and canned fruits and vegetables.  She found pleasure in simple things like drinking a cup of hot coffee, bird watching, sitting on her front porch and talking on the phone.

She took pride in the beautiful roses and gardenias she grew at her home in the country and often shared these flowers with others.  Julia was happiest in the company of her family.  She was proud of all her children and always made them feel loved.  She was especially proud of her grandchildren and attended many of their events and activities as often as she could.  She was fortunate to be able to attend many high school and college graduations, baptisms, weddings, and births.

Julia found comfort in her visits with family and friends and loved reminiscing about her childhood.  She especially loved telling stories about her siblings and twin sister, Beatrice, and how they would play pranks on people by switching places with one another.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit.

She was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elgin and was a member of the Guadalupanas.  Her strong faith and devotion to God were evident in the way she lived.

Julia was a beloved wife and loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt who was generous, compassionate and humble.  Among her greatest qualities was her enduring strength and resilience, her strong work ethic and her love and devotion for her family.   As the matriarch, she leaves behind a wonderful legacy for her children and grandchildren.  Her wisdom was admired, her advice was appreciated, her tenacity was respected. Julia left her mark on this earth and had a significant impact on those around her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, infant  son, Tony Jonse, daughter, Janie Marquez, husband Paul Jonse, brothers, Samuel Pena, Julio Pena, David Pena, Jesus Pena, and Severo Pena, sisters Carolina Pena, Josephine Reyes, and Beatrice Trevino (twin sister).

Julia is survived by her daughters Rose Jonse of Round Rock, Rita (and Dan) Conroy of Corpus Christi, Lori (and Steve) Markham of Elgin and sons, Paul Jonse, Jr. of Hutto, and Gilbert (and Olga) Jonse of Round Rock, one brother Richard (and Mila) Pena of Midland and one sister Rebecca (and Joe) Gutierrez of Austin, twelve grandchildren, John Anthony Marquez, Sunnyvale, CA; Rhonda (and Javier) Rodriguez, Austin, TX; Christopher Jonse, Round Rock, TX; Jonathan (and Shelby) Jonse, Denver, CO; Lauren (and James) Bricker, Englewood, CO; Michael Conroy, Andrew Conroy, and Tom Conroy, Austin, TX; Megan Markham, New York, NY; Kelsey Markham, Austin, TX; Matthew (and Kendall) Jonse, Round Rock, TX and Mark Jonse, Thornton, CO, five great-grandsons, Javier, Nico and Diego Rodriguez, Julian and Vincent Jonse and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 11, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Elgin. Visitation at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 10 with recitation of Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Providence Jones Funeral Home.  Burial, Elgin Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, John Anthony Marquez, Jonathan Jonse, Christopher Jonse, Matthew Jonse, Mark Jonse, Michael Conroy, Andrew Conroy and Tom Conroy.  Serving as honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters, Rhonda Rodriquez, Lauren Conroy, Megan Markham and Kelsey Markham.

The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff at Wyoming Springs Assisted Living and Encompass Hospice, St. Williams Catholic Church volunteers, Fr. Jim Olnhausen and Deacon Larry Dunne.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Elgin; Alzheimer’s Association, Capital of Texas Chapter, 3710 Cedar Street, Austin, TX 78705, www.AGEofCentralTX.org or the charity of your choice.