Elsie Marie Smirak Orsak

Mrs. Elsie Marie Smirak Orsak, age 83, passed away on June 5, 2026, in Hallettsville, Texas. She was born on March 29, 1943, in Hallettsville to the late Joseph & Eleanora Dornak Smirak and lived a life filled with dedication to her family, faith, and community.

Elsie began her education at Mont School and graduated from Sacred Heart High School. She pursued her passion for nursing at Renger Memorial Hospital Nursing School, earning her LVN license. Her nursing career spanned several decades and included roles at Renger Hospital in Hallettsville, Shady Oaks Nursing Home in Moulton, Moulton ISD as a school nurse and Lavaca Medical Center. Her compassionate care left a lasting impact on her colleagues and patients.

A woman of many talents, Elsie enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting and making homemade noodles. Her love of gardening was evident in the vibrant blooms that surrounded her home and the canned fruit and vegetables that were prominent in her pantry.

Elsie was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, KJZT and the Sacred Heart Quilting Circle. Her faith was central to her life and guided her actions. Known for her wit, diligence, and caring nature, she had a special gift for bringing people together. She especially treasured moments spent with family - whether it was sharing stories with her granddaughters or delighting in the laughter of her twin great-grandsons.

On May 27, 1967, Elsie married RL Orsak, and together they recently celebrated a beautiful milestone of 59 years of marriage together. She is survived by; her husband RL, and their three children, Melissa Jasek (Darren), Richard Orsak (Nitakuwa) and Sheila Etzler (Aaron). Her 5 granddaughters, McKenna Brewer (Clint), Taylor Jasek, Kendall Etzler, Emma Etzler and Olivia Etzler, great-grandsons, Cameron and Colter Brewer. She is also survived by her sisters, Patty Mache (Milton) and Lillie Smirak (Rick), as well as her brother-in-law Otto Orsak and sisters-in -law, Melba Hynes (Jim) and JoAnn Orsak.

Elsie was preceded in death by: her parents; her brothers, Phillip Smirak and Leon Smirak; her brother-in-law Kenneth Orsak and sisters-in-law Pat Smirak and Linda Orsak.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Friday, June 12, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 5 pm, Thursday, at Kubena Funeral Home with Rosary starting at 7 pm. Officiant: Rev. Michael Rother. Memorials: St. Mary’s Church Restoration Fund, St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund, Sacred Heart Quilting Circle, Sacred Heart SHINE Program or a charity of the donor’s choice. Burial: St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Reception at Sacred Heart Family Center.