Florianna (Flora) Stolarski passed quietly in her sleep on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, in Sealy at the age of 85 after enjoying several days of visits from family and friends.

Florianna Bonkowski Stolarski was born in Lockhart, Texas, on March 24, 1937, to parents Venceslaw Henry and Anastasia (Nancy) Gurka Bonkowski.

When she was 3-years-old, her family moved to Brenham. While Flora was in the first grade, she unknowingly met her future husband, Carl, who was in the second grade. Carl and his family moved away and 14 years later in 1957, Flora and Carl met at a dance and fell in love.

On June 27, 1959, Flora married Carl J. Stolarski, Jr., at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Chappell Hill, Texas. The happy couple moved to Sealy where they raised their family and resided for the rest of their years.

Flora is survived by two sons, Mark Stolarski of Sealy and David Stolarski and his wife Christina of Chappell Hill and two grandsons, Derek Allen Stolarski and Luke Michael Stolarski of Chappell Hill. She is also survived by two sisters, Eleanora (Nora) and husband Kenneth Kettler of Brenham and Blanche Snow of Houston, along with several sisters-inlaw and brothers-inlaw, Bernice and Benjamin Stolarski of Sealy, Pat and Ralph Stolarski of Sugarland, Pam and Richard Stolarski of Flatonia, and Betty Stolarski of Schulenburg, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Flora was preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 54 years, Carl J. Stolarski, Jr., brother Walter John Bonkowski, her parents Henry and Nancy Bonkowski, and sister-in-law and brother- in-law Clara and Leonard Stolarski.

Along with being a full-time housewife and mother, Flora found great enjoyment in babysitting for 25 years, and enjoyed seeing the children she helped raise when they were older. She was also known for her delicious homemade pies and pickles.

Flora has been a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sealy for over 63 years, where she was also a member of the Altar Society, the Catholic Union of Texas (the KJT), and Catholic Women’s Union of Texas (the KJZT), and is a supporting member of the Austin County Peace Officers Association. She is a retired member of the Sealy Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary with 23½ years of service and a former member of the Sealy American Legion Auxiliary Unit 442. Her love for her sons showed in her work with youth as a Den Mother with the Cub Scouts, assisting her husband as a scorekeeper while he coached PeeWee and Minor League baseball teams, and being active in the Parent Teachers Club (PTC) at Immaculate Conception Catholic School, the Sealy Booster Club, and the Sealy Band Boosters. Flora worked as a cook for Immaculate Conception Catholic School until it closed. She also enjoyed the “31 Club”, which was a group of women that would meet monthly to play cards while their husbands went to the Knights of Columbus meetings.

Flora absolutely loves being “Grandma” to Derek and Luke, talking about them every day, and we know she is smiling down on them from Heaven. She always looked forward to dinner with her family. She also loves dancing polkas with her husband and playing 42 (dominoes), winning numerous trophies at tournaments in this area of the state. Together, they enjoyed playing bingo and taking the busses to the casinos in Louisiana. And we are all sure Flora is dancing polkas and playing dominoes in Heaven with Carl, who she loves dearly.

Flora’s visitation was held at Knesek Family Funeral Chapel on Thursday, February 16, 2023, followed by the Rosary, which was led by Deacon Jerome Losack. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, February 17, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sealy, officiated by Father Jonathan Moré, assisted by Deacon Robert Kent. Pallbearers were Jim Mazerkewicz, Alan Konieczny, Terry Ashorn, Scott Earnest, Eric Bryant, and Brandon Drake, with her grandsons Derek Stolarski and Luke Stolarski as honorary pallbearers. Lector was Lanette Earnest and organist/cantor was Cynthia Grigar. Interment was at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Flora asked that memorial donations be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sealy, Sealy Christian Food Pantry, or Meals on Wheels of Austin County in Sealy.