Thelma Gloria Kutach Orsak, 81, of Palacios, Texas, passed away in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 24, 2024.  She was born March 26, 1943, in El Campo, Texas to the late Benedict L Kutach and Annie M. Heinrich Kutach.  Thelma graduated from Palacios High School in 1961 and married Bennie Orsak on April 5, 1964.  They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Thelma was known for her cooking, gardening and canning.  She enjoyed preparing meals for loved ones and would spend countless hours in the kitchen. No one left her house hungry.  She could be found most other days in her garden tending to the vegetables and then ultimately giving most of them away to family and friends.  One of her favorite times of the year was making her sauerkraut from scratch. She spent many years running the kitchen for the annual St. Anthony's Shrimporee as well as feeding many children that came through the Palacios ISD cafeterias.  She spent every Saturday evening attending mass at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Palacios.  She loved fishing at "The Bay" and her greatest joy was being "MawMaw" to her six grandchildren and spending time with them and family.  We know that she will be enjoying her polka music in Heaven as she did every Saturday morning.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Adele Farley and husband Virgil, Annie Orsak and husband Joe; and brothers-in-law, Johnnie Novak, Louis Poessel and Bernard Mach.  She is survived by her husband, Bennie; sons, Ben Orsak and wife Valerie and Russell Orsak and wife Amy; grandchildren, Kelsey, Micayla, Kolby and wife Pryce, Kade, Delaney and Kara Orsak; one remaining sister, Helen Poessel; brother-in-law, Daniel Orsak and wife Gerry; and sister-in-law, Elaine Cook and husband Chuck; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends for visitation from 5:30-7:30pm Thursday, September 26, 2024, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Palacios, Texas with the Holy Rosary recitation beginning at 6:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00am Friday, September 27, 2024, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Palacios with Father Michael Rother officiating.  Interment will follow at the Palacios Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kolby Orsak, Kade Orsak, Timothy Orsak, Andy Novak, Richard Novak and Brett Ringo.  Honorary Pallbearers are Charles Orsak, Benny Farley, and Michael Novak.