On Tuesday, May 6, our family said goodbye to our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Friend, Clara Costra. Clara was born on April 27th to Amos and Mollie (Lopez) Anderson in San Jose, New Mexico. After graduating from high school she joined the U.S. Army. She met Arthur Costra who was also in the U.S. Army, and on July 2, 1960 they were married at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.
She was creative, funny, kind, and strong, loving her family and friends with all her heart. She was a proud veteran, an avid gardener, and the best seamstress ever. She would light up a room with her smile and kind words.
Clara was a dedicated small business owner who loved the wedding industry and the businesses she helped build, Bridal Elegance and Gentlemen’s Choice Tuxedos. Bridal Elegance opened in 1983 and she has helped many brides with their special day. You may have met her at a fashion show or when you came into the boutique. She also helped decorate many events and would not understand why people would ask her “why do you work so hard?” She volunteered at the church through Catholic Daughters and in the Widefield community, where she has lived for almost 60 years.
Clara is survived by daughters Tina (Pete) Carella of Perrysburg, OH, Theresa “Terry” (Frank) Ortega of Colorado Springs, CO; and son Richard (Jennifer) Costra of Colorado Springs, CO; sister Ruth Smith of Farmington, NM; grandchildren Joseph (Amanda) Ortega, Raeanne Carella, Cody Costra, Jenna Carella, Bethany (Emilio) Cruz, and Kyle Costra; and great grandchildren Corbin, Joseph Jr., Xavier, and Santiago. She is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur in 1993.
She lived a beautiful life and will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and the community. A special funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 14th, at 11 a.m. at St Dominic Catholic Church, 5354 S Hwy 85, Security, CO.
The service will be streamed live by St Dominic Catholic Church via their streaming Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StDomStream
Everyone is welcome to visit and share with our family and friends at St Dominic Church from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., service begins at 11:00 a.m. Patriot Guards will lead us to the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80910, at 12:30 with a flag ceremony. A luncheon will follow after the cemetery service back at St Dominic Church. We hope you will come and share in celebrating Clara’s memorable life.
We would love to hear from past and even future Bridal Elegance brides with their stories, so that we can share with others. Send them to info@Bridal-Elegance.com.
Thank you, and God Bless.