Gladys Mae Holub

Gladys Mae (Vinklarek) Farek Holub, 90, of Moulton, TX passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Dornburg Hospice Center in Victoria, TX

Gladys was born at home in Cistern, TX on September 26, 1934. She was the daughter of Alex and Frances (Mares) Vinklarek. Gladys married Franklin Farek of Flatonia, TX on June 20, 1958. They lived in Cistern on the family homestead where she cared for her father, Alex. until his death. To this union, six daughters were born. She later married Jimmy Holub on September 8, 2001, and moved to Moulton, TX.

Gladys attended school in Cistern until the sixth grade when she was needed to work on the farm. She was a homemaker and helped run the family farm until they bought the local store “Cistern Country Store”. After 3 years, they sold the store. In 1972 she began baking goodies for the local restaurants to help supplement their income and so began “Gladys Cookie Shop”. Her unforgettable personality and tenacity fueled that little bakery. She began making fruitcakes in the shape of Texas which became very popular. She had hundreds of articles written about her and numerous television appearances including “The David Letterman Show” and “The Johnny Carson Show”. Her daughter, Melissa Varley, now operates the bakery in Dubina.

Gladys was a member of the KJZT, Altar Society, American Legion and Catholic Daughters.

She is survived by five daughters, Wendy (Kenneth) Syrinek of Dubina, TX, Melissa (Mark) Varley of Dubina, TX, Gale (Anthony) Branecky of Bastrop, TX, Michelle (Curt) Sexton of Bee Caves, TX and Jennifer Farek of Round Rock, TX. Her sister, Edna Migl of Cistern is the sole surviving sibling. She has twelve grandchildren, Jason (Kim) Syrinek, Lauren (Brian) Miller, Justin (Libby) Syrinek, Drew (Bekah) Syrinek, Bri Syrinek, Rachel Wolfson, Dylan Varley, Jessica Branecky, Brian Branecky, Amanda Branecky, Nathan Sexton and Brooklyn Sexton.

She has nine great-grandchildren; Jordan Syrinek, Cody Syrinek, Hannah Miller, Easton Miller, Dawson Syrinek, Eli Syrinek, Julia Syrinek, Chloe Syrinek and baby girl Syrinek in March.

Additionally, she is survived by her step-children Jenene (Robin) Demel and Amy (David) Machicek, 4 step-grandchildren and 3 step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her 1st husband, Franklin Farek, her 2nd husband Jimmy Holub, her daughter, Jacqueline Wolfson and two granddaughters, Ashley and Danielle Syrinek.

Visitation will be held on Sept 16, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Flatonia, TX. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm by the Catholic Daughters of America.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Flatonia, TX, at 11 a.m., on Sept 17, 2025. A private burial in Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Cemetery, Cistern, TX will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Rafaels Refuge, P.O. Box 341, Flatonia TX 78941, or Sacred Heart Church, P. O. Box 186, Flatonia, TX 78941