Mary Frances Wunderlich

Mary Frances Kollaja Wunderlich, 88, of Houston, TX, passed away on January 20, 2023, from natural causes. Mary had a funny and unique sense of humor to the end and was a real pistol throughout her entire life; she will be dearly missed.

Mary was born in Fayetteville, Texas on January 11, 1935, to John and Mathilda Kollaja, and she was one of an eventual band of four sisters: Rosie, Mary, Adell and Dorothy. Tragically, John died suddenly and unexpectedly in 1949, which left the Kollaja women alone to support one another, all at very young ages. These early years were very difficult, but they helped to form and shape Mary, her sisters and their mother into the strong and enduring women they became.

Mary eventually moved to Houston and worked as a waitress in several local restaurants and food establishments in the area around Washington Avenue. On June 13, 1959, Mary married Eldie Wunderlich, and they remained married for 29 years until Eldie’s death in 1989. Mary and Eldie lived and established a close-knit community of friends and neighbors around the Heights area, and they enjoyed spending time camping and fishing around Texas. While Eldie spent his career at Cameron Iron Works, Mary worked for many years as a teacher in several local Mother’s Day Out programs, including at Chapelwood United Methodist Church and Houston’s First Baptist Church. Mary told stories until her death about a number of children in these programs over the years who touched her life in various ways. Mary also cherished her countless years as an active member of SPJST Lodge 142 and the many friendships she made through this important fraternal organization, which keeps alive the cherished traditions, customs, and Czech language of Mary’s ancestors.

At the end of her life, Mary lived at Brookdale The Heights and appreciated being there with her older sister, Rosie. Mary enjoyed playing bingo (and undoubtedly holds the record for the most winnings!), listening to music and dancing, feeding the chickens, speaking Czech with her sisters, and generally keeping everyone in line and looking out for her fellow Brookdale residents and friends. Mary’s mind was extremely sharp until the end, she had a memory like a vault, and she exhibited a unique and funny wit that will be difficult to replace.

Mary is survived by her sisters Rosie Malota, Adell Johnson and Dorothy Thompson (Gene); her nieces and nephews Marla Thompson Poirot (Karl), Brian Thompson, Vickie Mason, Jerome Malota (Janet), Kenneth Malota (Djuana) and Margie Stockman (Mike); as well as numerous great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, John and Mathilda Kollaja; her husband, Eldie; and her cherished niece, Marisa (Johnson) Burkhalter.

Mary’s life will be celebrated and remembered on Thursday, January 26, 2023, during a Visitation and Gathering at Heights Funeral Home beginning at 10:00am. A 2:00pm graveside Committal Service will follow in Fayetteville, Texas where Mary will be laid to rest next to her husband, Eldie.

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