Emily Ann Ulrich Bugaj

Emily Ann Ulrich Bugaj passed away peacefully at the age of 94, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on February 17, 1931, in Freyburg, Texas, to Charles Ulrich of Schulenburg, TX and Emelia Ann Olbort Ulrich of Austria. She was raised on the family farm along with her four sisters, Irmgard, Ositha, Norma and Rosalie. The Ulrich Family was totally self-sustaining, raising cows, horses, pigs, chickens, dogs and cats along with crops like cotton, corn, sugarcane, maize and a huge vegetable garden which still exists today.
After graduating from Schulenburg High School, she moved to Houston at the age of 17, where she lived with her married sister Ositha. Emily met Frank Bugaj of Chappell Hill, TX in September 1948 at a Sunday dinner with her sister's family. Two weeks later, Frank asked Emily to go out dancing. They went out dancing again the next weekend to a local dance hall, Bill Mraz on 34th St. Three months later, Emily met Frank's parents and they took a picture together in their garden in Chappell Hill. After dating, dancing and getting to know each other's families, they married in June 1949 at St. Mary's in High Hill, Texas. They had a daytime dinner at the Ulrich's homestead and a nighttime dance at the Freyburg Hall. Skipping the honeymoon, they went directly to their apartment in the Heights.
Emily and Frank raised five children-Adrienne, Cynthia, Brenda, Dennis, and Gisele-first at a home on Schuler Street and later at their longtime family home at 811 Sara Rose. Emily was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, homemaker, cook, driver, teacher, aunt, sister, neighbor, caregiver and friend. She was an honorary cheerleader and drill team supporter at St. Pius X, where all her children attended school. She was a terrific baker, especially her poppyseed, red velvet, German chocolate and carrot cakes. She loved sports, especially baseball and her beloved Astros. She was a welcoming presence to all who entered her home and told everyone to call her Mama B or Grandma Bugaj, even if it was your first time meeting her.
Emily's devotion to her Catholic faith was profound. She was a lifetime parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church where she served in countless roles: as a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Altar Society starting in 1956, and a longtime volunteer on the bereavement committee, making and serving tens of thousands of cups of coffee and tea for many years. She went to daily Mass, cleaned altars, filled holy water fonts and replaced votive candles countless times. She was a Eucharist Minister both at Church and administering to the sick. She had keys to the Church because she was always the first one there for 6:00 am Mass. She was a faithful, reliable and dedicated Catholic until the day she died. On average, she prayed four rosaries per day, sometimes more. Next to her family, this parish church was the center of her existence. As she used to say when someone died, "he or she has found their nest". Grandma Bugaj has now found her nest. She will be missed, and we thank God that he gave her to us for 94 years. Amen.
Emily was preceded in everlasting life by her husband of 41 years, Frank Bugaj; her parents, Charles & Emelia Ulrich; and her sisters Irmgard Ulrich, Ositha Cykala and Norma Stegent. She is survived by her sister, Rosalie Fryer; five children and spouses, Adrienne Rodgers, Cynthia & Les Haas, Brenda & Allen Roberts, Dennis & Jackie Bugaj and Gisele & Scott Stein; 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and honorary children, Linda and Humphrey Hughes, 2 honorary grands and 3 honorary great grands and many nieces and nephews.
A viewing and visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., with a Rosary at 10:00 a.m., and a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman Street in Houston, Texas.
A reception at the church will follow the Mass and the Rite of Committal will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Avenue in Houston, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Emily Bugaj to EWTN Television Network or Meals on Wheels, Attn: Development Dept., 3303 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 or call 713-533-4979.