Bernadette Olexy Gurka

Bernadette (Bernie) Gurka, 87 passed away December 27, 2024 in The Woodlands Texas after a six-month battle with heart failure. She was born December 31, 1936 in Marlin Texas to Bruno and Tersie Olexy. She was raised on a farm in Bremond Texas. After completing high school, she moved to Houston Texas where she worked for the Railroad Company as a key punch operator. She met and married Sebestian (Buddy) Gurka. After her children were born, she became a full-time mom and house wife. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, sewing, crocheting, playing the piano, telling stories, and making quilts. Every child, grandchild, and great grandchild was gifted a quilt that she lovingly sewed.

Her greatest love was her family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was the happiest when she was spending time with her family including her many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Buddy Gurka.

She is survived by her daughter Cathy Gordy and son-in-law Louie Gordy; her son Bruce Gurka and daughter-in-law Jamie Gurka; her grandchildren Adam and Kelsey Gordy, Jason and Stephanie Gordy, Ashley Gurka, Stephanie Gurka and Crystal Bradford, and Curtis Gurka; her great grandchildren Colton Cummings, Sebastian Gordy, Zoey Bynum, Zoe Gordy, and Wyatt Gordy; her brother Howard Olexy, and sister Wanda Hogan.

Because Bernadette struggled with heart issues and vision problems related to retinal and corneal diseases, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to the American Heart Association, the Retina Research & Development Foundation, or the Cornea Research Foundation of America.