Mary Rita Hermes Polansky passed away peacefully on October 12, 2017 in Cuero. She was born to Eugene & Lydia Dolezal Hermes in Yoakum on February 7, 1944. The youngest and only daughter, she grew up with three older brothers, Marcus, Leroy and JO. Her sister, Agnes, died at birth. After being introduced at a BBQ to Jerome Polansky, at her aunt and uncle's house, they started dating. They were married on June 11, 1966 in Sweet Home at Queen of Peace Catholic Church and celebrated many anniversaries until his death in March, 1998. Born into their family was a daughter, Elizabeth "Beth" and son, Michael, who passed away at birth. Mary attended Sweet Home School, Yoakum High School, and Baldwin's Business College in Yoakum. She moved to Victoria and went to work for Robert Fry at his Volkswagon dealership. After marriage, Mary was a stay at home wife and mom until she obtained her real estate license in San Antonio. Mary worked for Bob Caskey Real Estate for many years before leaving to become the secretary at St Michael's Catholic Church in Cuero. Upon her retirement, Mary and Jerome traveled all over the United States visiting all but 5 states. She continued to travel after Jerome's death and visited 14 countries. Her love of travel took her to places rich with history and even to Germany where she stood at the door of the house her ancestors had once lived. Mary also loved the coastal life and spent many vacations with her daughter, son in law and two grandsons. She would often pack up her two grandsons and off they would go on a fishing trip to Indianola Beach or Port O'Connor. She was one of the founding members of Cuero's Christmas in the Park served as publicity chairman for many years. Mary was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of America.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth "Beth" West and husband, Carl "Bubba"; grandsons Jason West and Brandon West all of Cuero; brothers, JO Hermes (Karen) of Hallettsville, and Leroy Hermes (Barbara) of Houston; and sister-in-law, Gladys Hermes of Yoakum.

She is preceded in death by her husband; infant son; parents; brother, Marcus Hermes; and infant sister, Agnes Hermes.

Pallbearers will be her nephews and honorary pallbearers are her grandsons and nieces.

The body will lie in state at Freund Funeral Home on Sunday, October 15, 2017 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. where the casket will remain open for viewing. On Monday, October 16, 2017 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, visitation will start at 9 a.m., with a Rosary being read at 9:30 a.m. Funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. The casket will be closed at the church.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church building fund, Cuero's Christmas in the Park, or Hospice of South Texas.