Olga Janca

Olga Janca, age 91, of Elgin, passed from this life on Sunday, Dec. 4, at home, surrounded by her family. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and was Aunt Olga to many nieces and nephews.

She was born Olga Dacuk on Dec. 8, 1930, in Toronto to Elizabeth and John Dacuk. Olga grew up in Canada, where she graduated from high school and became a U.S. citizen in 1955. She attended Wayne University, the University of Michigan and The University of Texas. Olga worked in Austin and Houston as a computer programmer. On Dec. 22, 1957, she married Ignacious George Janca Jr. in Austin. They moved as newlyweds to College Station and Olga worked at Texas A&M while I.G. was working on his master’s degree. They settled in Elgin in 1962, where they raised their two children, Linda Nelle and I.G. III.

In addition to their farming operation, Olga and I.G. started two family businesses, Greenline Chemical Company and Elgin Warehousing, where they worked until their retirement. In retirement, Grandma Olga and Grandpa I.G. traveled the country watching their grandsons play baseball and made frequent trips to Chicago to watch their grandkids in musical concerts or sporting events. Olga was an avid Aggie baseball fan and was still attending games until several years ago. Olga’s greatest joy was being a part of her children and grandchildren’s lives. She was so happy to welcome two great-grandsons into the family in the past couple of years as well.

Olga loved music, mainly classical and old classic country, doing crossword puzzles and she almost never missed Jeopardy and reading the daily news. She was an amazing cook and made beautiful handmade Christmas ornaments, which the family will treasure for years to come. Olga loved the Christmas holiday and while she will not be with us this year, we know she is celebrating with Grandpa in Heaven, and maybe doing a little square dancing or playing a game of 42.

Olga was preceded in death by her husband, Ignacious George Janca Jr.; parents, Elizabeth and John Dacuk; brother, John Dacuk and wife, Vera; sister, Laurie Spencer and husband, Bob; sister-in-law, LaNelle Kahlbau and husband, Jerry; brother-in-law, Eugene Beck; and nephews, Larry Kahlbau, Ralph Spencer and Lyle Spencer.

She is survived by a daughter, Linda Nelle Snell, of Elgin; son, I.G. Janca III and wife, Leslie, of Georgetown; grandson, Sam Janca and wife, Carly, of San Angelo; grandson, George Janca and wife, Morgan, of San Angelo; granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Snell, of Minneapolis; grandson, Matthew Snell, of Evanston, Illinois; two great-grandsons, Beckett and Crew Janca, of San Angelo; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. 

Family and friends gathered for visitation at Elgin Funeral Home Friday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m.until 11:30 a.m., with a private family graveside service following at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, with Pastor Robert C. Waddle presiding. Serving with grace and honor as pallbearers are Sam Janca, George Janca, Mary Elizabeth Snell, Matthew Snell, Steve Balch and Brent Johnson.

Please make memorial contributions in Olga's memory to the Salvation Army and/or Cattlemen for Cancer Research.

Arrangements entrusted ot Elgin Funeral Home.