Holub

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

Gladys was born at home in Cistern on Sept. 26, 1934. She was the daughter of Alex and Frances (Mares) Vinklarek. Gladys married Franklin Farek of Flatonia 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 Sept. 8, 2001, and moved to Moulton.

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 many television appearances including “The David Letterman Show” and “The Johnny Carson Show.” Her daughter, Melissa Varley continues to operate 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, Melissa (Mark) Varley of Dubina, Gale (Anthony) Branecky of Bastrop, Michelle (Curt) Sexton of Bee Caves, and Jennifer Farek of Round Rock. Her sister, Edna Migl of Cistern is the sole surviving sibling. She has 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Additionally, she is survived by step-children, Jeanine (Robin) Demel and Amy (David) Machicek, 4 stepgrandchildren and 4 stepgreat- grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Franklin Farek, her second husband Jimmy Holub, her daughter, Jacqueline Wolfson and two granddaughters.

Visitation will be on Sept. 16, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Flatonia. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. by the Catholic Daughters.

A Celebration of Life will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Flatonia, at 11 a.m. on Sept. 17, 2025. A private burial 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, Flatonia.