I rene was born on July 17, 1946, to Gi lbert Jochen and Thelma (Schmedt) Jochen in Schulenberg. She graduated from Schulenburg High School in 1964.

Growing up, Irene worked ti relessly on the fami ly farm in the Swiss Alp / Freyburg area. After graduation, she started working as a bookkeeper at Herder Truck Lines and later became a secretary to the president and chief financial officer. During this time, she met a fellow office-worker named Bill Prihoda who became the love of her life. They married on Apri l 15, 1967, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Plum and settled in Weimar to start a long, happy, and full life.

Irene was blessed with three sons, David Anthony, Warren Matthew, and Stephen Dwayne – her pride and joy. She was a full-time stay-athome mom until Stephen went to school and then accepted employment with Hill Bank and Trust Co. in Weimar for over 30 years where she advanced from Bookkeeper to Senior Vice-President & Cashier. After retiring, she took a part-time position at the Weimar Public Library.

She enjoyed crocheting, crafting, playing the piano, gardening, reading her wel l-worn Bible, and camping. She proudly attended countless baseball games to watch Bill, Warren, and Stephen compete as well as many of their academic and FFA events. She later watched her grandchi ldren on the basketbal l court. Her favorite times were laughing and talking with her family – nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters-in-law, extended fami ly, and her grandchildren – Tyler, Christopher, Kaitlyn, and Cole.

Irene was very active in her community and church. She served as a church council member, lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Michael Cathol ic Church. She was a charter member and past president of the Weimar Encore Lions club, chaired the St. Michael Harvest Feast and Spring Festival finance committees, and served as the Salvation Army treasurer.

Irene is preceded in death by her infant son, David Prihoda, her parents Gilbert and Thelma Jochen, and brothersin- law James Prihoda & Johnny Prihoda.

She is survived by her husband Wi l l iam (Bi l l) Prihoda of Weimar, sons Warren Prihoda and wife Christine of The Woodlands, and Stephen Prihoda and wife Krystal of Jersey Village; grandchildren Tyler Prihoda, Chr istopher Pr ihoda, Kait lyn Prihoda, and Cole Pr ihoda; brother Conrad Jochen and wife Shirley of Fulshear, brothers and sisters-inlaw Carolyn Prihoda of High Hill, Joan Prihoda of Weimar, Raymond and Sherry Prihoda of Weimar, and Dorothy and Leslie Bacak of El Campo.

A visitation wil l be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday Nov. 14, 2025, at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, followed by a parish Prayer Service and Rosary at 6 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday Nov. 15, 2025, at St. Michael Cathol ic Church in Weimar with Father Luke Prihoda officiating. Burial will follow at St. Michael Catholic Church Mausoleum.

Serving as pallbearers are Cole Prihoda, Bryan Jochen, Mark Jochen, Josh Prihoda, Mark Prihoda, & Carl Prihoda. Honorary pal lbearers are Kait lyn Pri hoda, Bradley Prihoda, Michele Prihoda, and Sandy Kunschick.

Memor ia ls may be made to St. Michael Catholic Church or St. Michael Catholic School, P.O. Box 36, Weimar, TX 78962, Diocese of Victoria Seminary Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 4070, Victoria TX 77903, Swiss Alp United Evangel ical Lutheran Church, 2038 FM-3171, Schulenburg, TX 78956, or the charity of your choice.

Onl ine condolences may be given at www. hennekefuneralhome. com.