GINA MARIE ROKAS (GISTINGER)
Gina Marie Rokas (Gistinger) passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on June 5, 2025. She fought with incredible strength and unwavering faith, inspiring everyone who knew her.
She was an amazing mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend.
Gina was born on November 13, 1962 to Jesse and Jeanette Gistinger in Marlin, TX. She was a fun-loving kid who unicycled, beat all the boys in every sport she played, teased her brother Craig, and was a friend to all. It was no surprise to anyone she was Homecoming Queen her senior year. After graduating from Marlin High School in 1980, she went to McLennan Community College to play collegiate tennis and then transferred to Southwest Texas State where she finished her tennis career and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in recreational administration.
In between her time at MCC and Southwest Texas State, she met Jim Rokas at a swimming pool (where he was not supposed to be).
After their conversation, she knew she wanted to go to Southwest Texas State and the rest is history. They enjoyed many fun dates including study dates at the Kettle, margaritas at Jorge’s, and cheering each other on at their respective collegiate sporting events.
After Gina and Jim graduated, they began their lives together working in the recreational club industry and got married in March 1986 in Waco, Texas having an Orthodox wedding at a Catholic church. Their journey together eventually led them to Ennis, Texas where they would raise their children, Allie & Austin, and where Gina would finish her career.
After leaving the recreational club industry, Gina began working at the City of Ennis as the Tourism Director. She spent every April making sure visitors had the best experience at the Ennis Blubonnet Trails, and every May at the National Polka Festival celebrating her Czech heritage with friends and family. Her kids and friends have self-proclaimed her as the “Bluebonnet Queen”, as she perfectly embodied the bluebonnet spirit of Ennis. After retiring from the City of Ennis in 2023 after 20+ years, Gina spent her retirement hanging out with friends, fun trips with her family, enjoying the beach, taking pictures, and loving on her grand-dog Ellie.
She is survived by her husband Jim Rokas, daughter Allie & Matt Behrndt and son Austin & Vanessa Rokas, mother Jeanette Gistinger, siblings Diane Maxwell, Jessica & Alvin Chane, Ronnie Gistinger, Craig & Leigh Gistinger, mother-in-law Karen Rokas and brothersin- law Tom & Amber Rokas and Chris & Meredith Rokas, and a generation of nieces and nephews & great nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Carl & Bertha Gistinger and maternal grandparents, Vernetti & Hubert Daniel, father Jesse Gistinger, fatherin- law Anthony Rokas, and brother-in-law Jerry Maxwell.
Her faith was her number one priority. She constantly prayed for everyone around her, even when she was going through hard times, and rejoiced in the Lord for her blessings. She embodied a woman of faith and she will continue to inspire everyone around her to grow in their relationship with the Lord.
Cancer will not be what defined her life. Gina’s legacy is the kindness she shared with friends and strangers alike. Her unshakable faith in the Lord through good times and bad. Her contagious joy and smile.
Her passion for serving her community. Her unconditional love she gave family and friends. She is the light that will continue to shine and guide us for years to come. She set a standard for how a life should be lived.
May her memory be eternal. Bluebonnet spirit forever.
Gina’s VISITATION will be at J. E. Keever Mortuary in Ennis on Tuesday, June 10th from 6-8pm with rosary at 7pm).
Her FUNERAL will be at 10am on Wednesday, June 11th at St. John Nepomucene Church. Interment will take place in Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas.
MEMORIAL DONATIONS can be made to St. Nektarios Church of Waxahachie and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network for pancreatic cancer research.
This obituary can also be found at: https://www. jekeevermortuary.com/ obituary/gina-rokas