Mary Modena (McCullough) Kreple at the age of 84 years and 11 months, passed away on Friday, August 6th, 2021, at the Brownwood Nursing & Rehabilitation after a short time in the facility. Before this she lived with her daughter and son-in-law in Missouri for almost 5 years. Modena or “Dena” as some knew her, always loved her home state of Texas even though she spent many years away from it.
She is survived by her daughter Karen Mary Phipps and her husband Danny of Stoutland, MO. Her oldest brother Billy Joe McCullough from Early, Texas; her younger brother Ron McCullough and wife Pam of Early, Texas; her three grandsons Brock Chaffin, Brett Chaffin, Daniel Florenski, and one step-grandson Tyler Phipps all from Missouri. She had many nieces and nephews that she loved very much.
She was preceded in death by her parents William R. McCullough & Verna P. McCullough, her loving husband Blake Dean Kreple, her son Robert Steven Florenski, and her sister-in-law Bobbie McCullough.
The biggest loves of her life were her dogs Gabby and Sweet Pea. Besides her dogs she had a love of goats. Always spoiling them with animal crackers and teaching them tricks. For the last 5 years she really enjoyed her two pet turtles and watching birds for hours on end. She loved visits with anyone that would visit with her, golf cart rides around the property, or just sitting watching westerns with her.
Before her illness she was an Energizer Bunny or that’s what her younger brother always said. She worked at the Early Middle school for many years and made some great friends that became just like family. She loved to stay busy. If you ever saw her outside, she might be on the lawnmower, picking up pecans, or just enjoying the outdoors. She loved to travel with her husband whether it be in an RV, a motorcycle, or taking a cruise with her family. She loved to go to ballgames to watch her nieces and nephews. She had a love of watching sports especially her Dallas Cowboys. She even got to see her grandsons play college ball. She loved her garage sales and when her daughter would come down, they would spend hours hunting down the bargains. Creativity was her thing. From making cakes for many years, redressing dolls up for the less fortunate kids, working in the shop, crafts, and always coming up with the best costumes at work. She also spent many years in Paris, Texas where she made some great friends working at the Dental office. She was very active in the Lions Club for many years and loved serving at the Blind Camp.
She was loved by all that met her. Many would comment about her beauty and her spirit even in the darkest times of her illness. She never wanted to give up and never wanted to be dependent on anyone. She is now living in her heavenly home and the joy she is having reuniting with the ones that have passed before her. Her illnesses are gone, and she can now be the Energizer Bunny she once was. Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 10th, 2021, at Heartland Funeral Home in Early, Texas from 6-8pm. There will be a roomful of memories and a video playing throughout the visitation. No service will be conducted. She loved to visit, and this is exactly how she would want it to be. There will be a private burial on Wednesday at the Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early.
Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the family online at heartlandfuneralhome.net.
