Catherine Frances Kolarik

Catherine Frances Valcoviak Kolarik, 96, of Dayton, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026, in Liberty, Texas. She was born April 21, 1930, in Eastgate, Texas, to Steve Valcoviak and Mary McClosky Valcoviak.

Catherine was a lifelong member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Eastgate and was a deeply spiritual woman whose faith was an important part of her life. She raised her children with the belief that Sunday morning was a time for the entire family to get up and go to church together. She took great pride in serving her church and, alongside a dear friend, volunteered each year to clean the church for a month. Her faith, devotion, and example left a lasting impression on her family.

Catherine was no stranger to hard work. Coming from a family involved in the cotton farming business, she spent many years picking cotton. She proudly passed that strong work ethic on to her children, always leading by example. Her competitive spirit was well known within the family, as she often worked to see if she could pick more cotton than everyone else when they headed into the fields.

A lifelong resident of the Dayton area, Catherine was married to the love of her life, Ike Kolarik, for 51 years before his passing. Together, they built a life centered around family, faith, hard work, and hospitality.

Catherine loved being outdoors and was happiest when she was busy. She enjoyed mowing the grass and washing cars, and family members knew that if they left their car parked at Catherine’s house for any length of time, they would return to find it cleaned and shining. She believed in the simple things in life and passed those traditions on to her children, including the old-fashioned practice of hanging clothes on the line to dry. 

Her love for her family was often expressed through food and hospitality. Whenever Ike planned one of his fishing trips, Catherine would prepare a homemade breakfast for family and friends who were going along. If the group was leaving in the early morning hours, Catherine would be up as early as 2:30 a.m. making sure everyone had a hearty, homemade meal before heading out.

She was a wonderful cook and baker, especially known for her delicious pecan pies and homemade yellow cakes with coconut icing. Her family especially looked forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings at her home, where her turkey and dressing were always a treasured part of the celebration.

While Catherine cherished her time with all of her children, one of her greatest joys was being “MeMe” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She treasured every moment spent with them and created memories that will continue to live on through the generations.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, Steve and Mary Valcoviak; her beloved husband, Ike Kolarik; sons, Gary Kolarik and Dennis Kolarik; brother, Eugene Valcoviak; and sister, Barbara Stegent.

She leaves behind a loving family to cherish her memory, including her sons, Gerald Kolarik and wife Carol, Arnold Kolarik and wife Leah, Paul Kolarik and wife SueAnne, and Craig Kolarik and wife MaryLee; daughters, Charlene Railsback and husband Ted, and Juanita Zaruba and husband Kent; brother-in-law, George Kolarik and wife Toddice; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Thamm, Barbara Ann Meche, and Mary Bell Valcoviak. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Kathy Parker and husband Robert, Julie Mangum and husband Dallas, Amy Singer and husband Kyle, Kelli Kolarik, Kristen Risch and husband Bobby, Zach Kolarik and wife Ashley, Erik Kolarik and wife Crystal, Dylan Kolarik and wife Katelynn, Dr Tania Kolarik and Tanner Hilyard, Kaitlyn Craft and husband Jackson, Lindsey Stegall, Hannah Ray, Carson Kolarik, Mindy Kolarik and great-grandchildren Kaylee Parker, Kamryn Parker, Keaton Parker, Matthew Mangum and Brooklynn, Luke Mangum, Clark Mangum, Cole Davidson, Collin Singer, Lane Kolarik, Carli Kolarik, Cori Kolarik, Madison Zaruba, Ava Risch, Phillip Risch, Peyton Risch, Greenlea Risch, Ethan Kolarik, Lainey Kolarik, Everett Kolarik, Emmett Kolarik, Emma Kolarik, Camille Kolarik, Chase Kolarik, Hayden Kolarik, Hayes Craft, Bodhi Craft, Henry Short, Kelsey Bear and great-great grandchildren Kendall Mangum, Matthew Mangum Jr., and Mylah Martinez; also a host of extended family members, and friends who will forever remember her love, strength, faith, and generous spirit.

 Catherine’s life was a testament to faith, family, hard work, and the beauty found in life’s simplest traditions. She gave freely of herself—to her church, her family, and anyone who walked through her door. Her homemade meals, spotless cars, hard-working hands, competitive spirit, and unwavering love for her family are memories that will be treasured for generations to come.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton, with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Eastgate, with Father Peter Nguyen presiding. Burial will follow at Eastgate Cemetery.

The Kolarik family would like to extend a special thanks to Magnolia Place for their excellent care and love for Catherine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Eastgate.