Clara Sylvia Karcich

Clara Sylvia (Martini) Karcich passed away peacefully on May 17, 2025, at the age of 99. Clara was a first generation American, born of immigrant parents from Austria and Poland, Valentino Martini and Josephine Jarosinska. Her stories of growing up in the coal mining town of Sopris, Colorado, recreated memories of happy family times, charity towards neighbors and resourcefulness. She was sustained and guided throughout her life by her Catholic faith.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Matthew Karcich; infant son, Thomas; sisters, Ann Hiller and Sylvia Martini; and brothers, Frank and William Martini.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Michael) Draper, and their children Joel (Catherine), Mark (Monica), and Ann Marie (Steve) Tschanz; and her son, Richard (Anne) Karcich, and their children Sara (David) Gruen, Elizabeth (Danny) Kellogg, and Casey (Ciera) Karcich. Clara was blessed with 16 great-grandchildren who brought her endless joy.

Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m., followed by a memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2318 N Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Inurnment will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Trinidad Catholic Cemetery, Trinidad, CO.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church.