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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the |
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passing of Mary Ruth Duke Loika of Austin on June 1, 2011, at the age |
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of 86; and |
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WHEREAS, The daughter of Nan and William Duke, the former |
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Mary Duke was born on February 14, 1925, in the community of Bethel; |
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she graduated from Ballinger High School, where she was on the |
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basketball, tennis, and volleyball teams, and she earned her |
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bachelor's degree from Hardin-Simmons University; she went on to |
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have a rewarding career in elementary education that spanned 34 |
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years and included tenures in San Angelo, Ballinger, Rowena, and |
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Zapata; and |
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Loika enjoyed more than four decades of |
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marriage with her beloved husband, Eugene Julius "E. J." Loika, |
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before his passing; they were both talented musicians, and they led |
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an orchestra that toured the German and Czech dance halls of West |
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Texas, with her on stand-up bass and him on clarinet; Mrs. Loika was |
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also a skilled pianist, and she shared her talents with the Bethel |
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and Ballinger Baptist Churches; and |
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WHEREAS, Above all else, Mrs. Loika was devoted to her |
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family; the mother of four children, Jeanie, John, Grace, and |
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Betty, she was further blessed with six grandchildren; each year, |
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her loved ones looked forward with great anticipation to her annual |
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Christmas Eve party, which featured homemade chili, tamales, and |
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eggnog, musical entertainment, and a visit from Santa Claus; and |
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WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known Mary Loika will |
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remember the way she touched their lives with her warmth and |
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generosity, and she will forever hold a treasured place in their |
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hearts; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of |
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Mary Ruth Duke Loika and extend deepest sympathy to the members of |
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her family: to her children, Jeanie Coffey, John Loika and his wife, |
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Liz, Grace Kelley and her husband, David, and Betty Rice and her |
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husband, Rell; to her grandchildren, Beth, Rich, Sophie, |
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Nancigayle, Julia, and Trevor; and to her other relatives and many |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Mary Ruth |
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Duke Loika. |