Clara T. Kmiec (Ogrodowicz), 91 of Chappell Hill passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at home with her daughter by her side.

Clara was born in Brenham, Texas on July 6th, 1931, to parents Leon and Thecla (Murski) Ogrodowicz. She was the fourth and only daughter of their five children. She was a devoted Catholic and attended St. Mary's Catholic School where she received all her sacraments. She had fond memories of her time at school staying during the week with her brothers at a relative's house near the church since her parents were not able to drive. Growing up on the farm was a lot of work and not much play. She often spoke of helping her brother Florian in the kitchen baking bread and doing other household chores. A memorable childhood job was keeping track where the turkeys laid the eggs on their farm.

Clara married Steve Kmiec on May 24, 1952, and then moved to Houston.

Clara devoted her life to her husband and six children. When she first moved to Houston and before having children, she worked for the Bemis Bro. Bag Company. When her husband started his company, she assisted by answering the phone and taking the service calls. Once her children started attending school, she made sure they went to school with a good breakfast in their bellies that included orange juice and daily vitamins and that there was a hot supper on the table each evening.

Clara was a hard worker and instilled a strong work ethic in her children. Summers were spent putting up garden vegetables in the freezer and making many quarts of pickles. On special holidays she would bake her wonderful pecan pies and her tasty "party" cookies. She also loved to garden where she kept many house and patio plants alive for years.

When her parents moved to Houston, Clara would take her mother to the grocery store every week and run errands for them.

Most weekends were spent with the family at their place in Chappell Hill where she and Steve finally retired.

She loved to read the daily newspaper and often clipped recipes and health articles that she would lovingly pass along to whichever child she felt needed the information if they wanted it or not. Family was everything to her and she was cherished and well loved by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Surviving family includes daughter Patricia and Joseph Kenjora, son, Dennis Kmiec, daughter Geralyn and Eddie Syzdek, son Chris and Kathy Kmiec, daughter Karen and Larry Dye, and daughter Janelle Barrett. Twelve grandchildren include Travis Syzdek, Crystal Ewing, Kevin Kenjora, Nicholas Syzdek, Kurtis Kmiec, Kandace Kmiec, KaeCee Kmiec, Kendall Kmiec, Courtney Walton, Kayla Kenjora, Stephen Dye, and Cameron Dye and 13 great grandchildren who loving called her GG. She will be dearly missed and going to the "country" will never be the same.

Also surviving are sister in laws Hattie Ogrodowicz, Margie Ogrodowicz, and Frances Kmiec as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Clara is preceded in death by her husband, Steve J. Kmiec, son in law Terry Barrett, brother Florian and Mary, brother Clement, brother Raymond and Florence, and brother Charles as well as the many brother and sister in laws from the Kmiec family.

The family of Clara wishes to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to the House of Stars caregivers – Lisa, Anna, Micah, Terry and Deborah - who took such good care of Clara since May of 2022.