A memorial service for Doris Mae Beseda, 91, was held at 11:00 a.m. on March 18, 2023, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, located at 3003 Northland Dr. Austin, Texas 78757.
Doris was born to Pete and Tracy Odstrcil on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1931, on the family farm outside of Caldwell, Texas.
Born as an only child to a Czech farming and ranching family, she was no stranger to hard work. Her love of the land is what drove her to continue working the family farm into her 90s, passing on a deep connection to nature and its bounty to her children and grandchildren, who will continue to care for the land.
Doris cherished her Czech roots which inspired several trips to the Czech Republic, where she would share her love for her culture with family. The Odstrcil’s were lifelong members of the Brethren Church which traces it’s roots to Jan Hus in Prague. Doris developed strong spiritual roots early in life.
In 1948, Doris gradu-ated from Caldwell High School and later hosted class reunions on the farm until their last 70th reunion.
She married Joseph Maitland Beseda in 1954 and after the birth of their two children, David Lee and Betty Lou in Waco, Texas, Joe’s Air Force career took the family to Hawaii. There Doris channeled her passion for teaching into developing a Sunday School program for children at Hickam Air Force Base.
After Joe’s retirement in 1968, the family moved to Austin and joined Covenant Presbyterian Church, where Doris remained a committed and active member until shortly before her passing. Her involvement there ranged from helping to start the youth ministry, to serving as a Deacon.
In 1975, Doris turned her love of education into a formal career after obtaining an undergraduate degree in Business Education from The University of Texas, Austin, and a Masters degree in Interdisciplinary Science from Texas State. Her passion for students went beyond teaching business and accounting classes - it was her philosophy and life mission to not only support her students through graduation, but to aid them in achieving their full potential as human beings.
While teaching at Anderson High School, Doris dedicated time to Future Business Leaders of America, desiring to see students develop leadership skills that many say, have carried with them into their careers to this day. Doris and Joe traveled the country taking students to competitions, forming memories she would talk about for years to come, always beaming with pride at what her students accomplished.
Doris’ volunteer work was not limited to students. She became involved with International Women’s Group serving for 14 years doing Bible study with foreign women to help improve their English skills. Once a year she shared her farm for day retreats with the international women and their families from across the globe. Additionally, she served in leadership with Bible Study Followship where her love for God’s Word was fed.
Her passions included working the ranch with her foreman, Roger, tending cattle, gardening, and forging meaningful relationships with neighbors, friends, and family. Above all, Doris enjoyed traveling with and bragging on her 6 grandchildren: born to David and Marsanna: Brandon, Bradie and husband, Harry Campbell- Lamerton; born to Betty and Tim Kilpatrick: Kolin, Kristen, Konner, Kasey and husband, Cai Benavides.
We are deeply grateful for the professional caregivers God blessed us with who loved and cared for Doris the last several months of her life. The family could not have gone through this season without you.