GLADYS LUCILLE LUEDECKE PAVELKA

1935- 2023

On Feb. 16, 2023, at the age of 88, our beloved Gladys, affectionately called Granny, received her angel wings while surrounded by her family in the comfort of her home, in Alvin, Texas.

Born Gladys Lucille Luedecke on Jan. 15, 1935, in Sealy, Texas to loving parents, Alfred and Lizzie (Garling) Luedecke, Gladys was the third of five children, three boys, and two girls. Gladys was raised on a small farm eleven miles outside of Sealy with her four siblings. Gladys started and finished school in Sealy, graduating in 1954.

Gladys met the love of her life, Leslie Lynn Pavelka, and was married on July 27, 1955. While living in Liberty, Texas Les and Gladys became the proud parents of a daughter, Diana Lynn in 1957, and while living in Beaumont, Texas, blessed with a son, Glenn Benjamin, in 1960.

Gladys chose to be a homemaker until the children were in high school, then she resumed using her skills as a seamstress for the public. She was great with woodworking, a skill learned from her father. She also loved the outdoors and was very successful with her vegetable garden. Gladys could hardly wait for deer season because she wanted the first deer and bragging rights. Bowling was her lifelong passion, and she was a great league bowler.

Gladys was very devoted to her family. When the family opened a restaurant, she was right in the middle of things claiming her spot as a waitress. She worked for many years acquiring a following of customers, who soon became friends. She was respected and loved by every member of her team.

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Diana Lynn (Pavelka) Jones, and her husband Charlie, Alvin, TX. Glenn Pavelka, Crystal Beach, TX. Grandchildren, Jeffrey Jones and wife Amy Katrina (Jones) Villarreal and husband Danny, Jennifer Mullins, Melissa (Mullins) Caldwell and partner, Justin Harris, David Mullins, Savannah (Pavelka) Stapleton and husband Jeremy, Josey (Pavelka) Godeaux, and husband, Joe, Lesley Pavelka, and partner Cody Higa.

Great-grandchildren Cassidy (Bodden) Marquis and Mitchell, Trinity Bodden, Fallon Villarreal, Aurora Villarreal, Eliza Williams, Jacob Caldwell, Micah Caldwell, Memphis Guidry, Sadie Guidrey, Caroline Stapleton, Jase Stapleton, Georgia Stapleton, Joshua Smith, Harbor Godeaux. Greatgreat grandchild Bradey Marquis. Sister Mary Lou (Luedecke) Gajewski, Sisters-in-law, Vernel (Drymalla) Luedecke, Ora (Pavelka) Hopper, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Gladys is preceded in death by her loving husband, Les Pavelka, parents, Alfred and Lizzie, brothers, Wilfred, Harry, and Raymond Luedecke.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Knesek Brothers Funeral Home. She was laid to rest in Sealy Cemetery.

A special thank you to the pallbearers: Michael Ashorn, Jacob Caldwell, Micah Caldwell, Buddy Gajewski, Beau Galvan, Justin Harris, Jeff Jones, Tim Luedecke, and David Mullins.