Clare Grubbs

Clare Grubbs was born Mary Clarice Kollenberg — the first child of Conrad “Connie” and Bonnie Kollenberg — on October 29, 1941, in Goose Creek, Texas (now Baytown). She passed away peacefully the night of Valentine’s Day, 2023, ending her brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease as gracefully as she lived.

Clare spent most of her childhood in Texas, and she met her husband, Gordon, at Rice University in Houston in 1959. She was a freshman, he a sophomore, and theirs was a love destined to last more than 60 years. They married on August 26, 1962, as she was beginning her senior year. And in 1963, Clare graduated with her bachelor’s degree in economics. That same year, she and Gordon also welcomed the first of their four children.

As the eldest daughter of six siblings, Clare had grown up caring for her siblings, and this was truly her God-given calling. She treasured her roles as a wife and mother and approached both with unwavering love and commitment — trusting God to help her as she navigated life’s inevitable ups and downs. The loss of this amazing woman is being felt deeply by her husband, Gordon, and four children: Ann Meeks and husband, Kent; Mary Gerush and husband, Jon; Ellen Haster; and Michael Grubbs and wife, Kelli.

Her loving influence can be seen by spending time with any of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Kevin Meeks; Kelsey Forsberg, husband, Phillip, and sons Kent and Miles; Jason Meeks, wife, Whitney, and children, Ethan, Collin, and Maggie; Kristen Ortolani, husband, Mitchel, and son, Levi; Allison Gerush; Christopher Haster; Taylor Haster and partner, Esteban Ortiz; Carey Haster and fiancée, Christian Turbeville; James Grubbs, wife, Lyndi, and daughter, Leah; Jonathan Grubbs and partner, Emily Joslin; Nicholas Grubbs; David Grubbs; Claire Wimberly; Hannah Wimberly-Salchak and husband, Andy; and Emma Wimberly.

Clare was also a devoted daughter and sister and a grounding force that connected the larger Kollenberg family — a host of sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, children, and grandchildren that gathered often to celebrate. She was loved and will be missed greatly by her siblings and their families: Ann Neyland Hurt and husband, Jack; Henry Kollenberg and wife, Chris; and Debbie Walker and husband, Ross. She will rejoin in heaven her parents, Connie and Bonnie Kollenberg, and brothers, Charles and Bobby Kollenberg.

Simply put, Clare had a big, caring, generous heart. If you were not blessed enough to be family, you know that she never hesitated to share that heart with anyone who needed a warm shoulder to cry on, a safe place to rest, or a friendly smile and heartfelt laugh to pick them up. Strangers became friends, and friends became family. Everyone mattered, and she made sure we all knew that.

A memorial service will be held Friday, February 24,2023 at 2:00 pm CT at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with a reception to follow immediately after service. If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: https://youtube.com/live/ QfNPP2wf2m0?feature=share

Clare will be laid to rest at the Allen Family Funeral Options Columbarium in Plano, Texas.

If desired and in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor, to help find a cure for this terrible disease at: http://act.alz.org/goto/claresaysnotoalzheimers