Clara Vondergoltz passed peacefully with her family at her side on February 25, 2021. Clara was born in Hilje, Texas outside of El Campo to Phillip and Annie Orsak on January 25, 1931. Clara grew up on a small farm during the Great Depression. Growing up in that circumstance had a profound effect on the rest of her life.

She saw two of her older brothers off to World War II in Europe for the D-Day invasion and comforted her older sister Ann when she lost her husband in the Pacific Theater. Clara was very proud of all of her brothers who served this country.

The family moved from the farm into Wharton where Clara graduated from Wharton High School. After graduation, Clara moved to Houston in the Heights with her sister Angie. She worked at the downtown Foley's and attended Durham Business College and then went to work for the Humble Oil Company. While working downtown at Humble, she met and married Earle Vondergoltz. They moved to College Station where Clara worked as an executive secretary to the Dean of Aeronautical Engineering at Texas A&M University, helping to put Earle through school. Clara then became a mother and housewife, as she and Earle had three wonderful children, Barbara, Susie and Jimmy. They raised their family in Houston, Fulshear and Brenham.

Years later, Clara and Earle became one of the founding donors of a 12th Man Foundation endowed scholarship.

Clara was baptized and remained a faithful Catholic her entire life. She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Clara volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and enjoyed working with the young Catholic groups in Richmond and Rosenberg. Through her faith in God, Clara met the challenges of life. She celebrated the joy of her family and friends, never met a stranger and was a devoted animal lover.

Clara was preceded in death by Earle Vondergoltz, her parents Philip and Annie Orsak, brothers, Louis, Edwin and Frank Orsak, Sisters Edith Bourdeaux, Ann Mitchell, Irene Drastata and Angeline Jalufka.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara Anne and Fred Flesch and granddaughter Lindsey Flesch, daughter and son-in-law Susan Gail and Ron Leftwich, and son James Earle Vondergoltz.

Phillip and Annie Orsak could not have wished for a more loving and devoted daughter than Clara Lydia. She was there for them in their later years when they needed someone to care for them. She was there for her brothers and sisters in their time of need. Clara gave her love and comfort to so many of us over the years. There is a place in heaven for her dear sweet soul, reunited with her family and God for eternity.

A visitation will be held at Katy Funeral Home (23350 Kingsland Blvd, Katy, TX 77494) on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 from 5-8 p.m. A recitation of the rosary will take place at 7 p.m that evening. A funeral mass will be held at Guardian Angel Catholic Church (5610 Demel St, Wallis, TX 77485) on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 2pm, with a graveside service and burial to follow that day at the Guardian Angel Catholic Cemetery at 3:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity or organization of your choice.