Dorothy Jane Markert

Dorothy Jane (Mikulencak) Stacha Markert passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at the age of 95 years young. She was a blessing born to Charlie and Annie (Pokorny) Mikulencak in Taylor, Texas on January 29, 1928. She married her first love, Clifton Stacha, Sr. on November 28, 1946 and they shared 27 wonderful years together. They were blessed with two children, Clifton, Jr. (Cliff) and Brenda.

Clifton, Sr. and Dorothy were both members of the Taylor Brethren Church. The church sanctuary holds a special memory as Clifton was a member of the construction crew that built the current sanctuary in 1965. He was one of two carpenters that skillfully constructed the beautiful cross that graces the front of the sanctuary.

Most of Dorothy’s 95 years were lived in the country. She grew up a hard-working farm girl and then diligently worked alongside Clifton, Sr. on their family farm until his passing. Many an hour was spent tending to the fields and then going to the garden to pick vegetables to prepare delicious meals. Any extra bounty would be shared and/or preserved. She especially enjoyed homemade pickles and sauerkraut. She utilized her gift of cooking as a cook at the SPJST Nursing Home in Taylor until she married her last love, Clarence Markert in July 1985. They enjoyed traveling until his passing in 1986. The nursing home residents, many of whom she knew, were sad to see her leave as they appreciated her cooking talent.

Dorothy had such a green thumb. She could grow most anything and took delight in watching her plants flourish. Baking kolaches and buchtas was a favorite pastime and she even won awards for her goodies. And it was always a good time to have a svacina with family and friends. On Sunday afternoons especially, you could usually hear polkas and waltzes playing in the house, sometimes with Clifton, Sr. playing the accordion. She was proud of her Czech heritage.

She was a hard worker but she also took time to stay young at heart playing games, whether it was baseball, in her younger years, or dominoes or Pollyanna or Uno with anyone she could engage in a game. She looked forward to fellowship at domino tournaments and it was always nice to bring a trophy home now and again.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Clifton Stacha, Sr.; husband, Clarence Markert; son, Clifton Stacha, Jr.; and brother, Arthur Mikulencak.

Dorothy will be forever cherished by her daughter, Brenda Ivy and husband Randy; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Stacha; sisters, Elizabeth Raesz and Barbara Raesz; brother, Paul Mikulencak and wife Rosalee; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dorothy’s love knew no boundaries. She treasured the time spent with her family and friends and counted them as one of her greatest blessings. She never met a stranger and she generously put the needs of others before herself. Her faith gave her strength to face each day, whatever it may bring. She lived her life to the fullest, choosing not to let any disability define her, and using life’s lessons to prepare her for the greatest journey awaiting each of us. Her beautiful smiling face and joyous nature will be fondly remembered by those fortunate enough to have known her.

A visitation for Dorothy will be held Friday, June 23, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Condra Funeral Home, Taylor, Texas 76574. A funeral service will occur Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Taylor Brethren Church with Reverend Jimmy Hejl officiating. Burial will be at 1pm at Taylor City Cemetery following a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made to the Taylor Brethren Church, POB 351, Taylor, TX 76574.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CondraFuneralHome.com for the Markert family.